The taboo of homosexuality, especially harsh in an otherwise ultranationalist and traditional environment, is suggested throughout the film. A Korean soldier is condemned to commit seppuku after being caught in an "improper" relationship with one of the Dutch prisoners. As the execution is carried out, the Dutch prisoner, who is forced to watch it along with the rest of the prisoners and the Japanese officials as well, bites his tongue and then dies of suffocation himself.
The taboo of homosexuality, especially harsh in an otherwise ultranationalist and traditional environment, is suggested throughout the film. A Korean soldier is condemned to commit seppuku after being caught in an "improper" relationship with one of the Dutch prisoners. As the execution is carried out, the Dutch prisoner, who is forced to watch it along with the rest of the prisoners and the Japanese officials as well, bites his tongue and then dies of suffocation himself.
As Celliers is interned in the camp, Yonoi seems to develop a homoerotic fixation with him, often asking about him to Hara, silently visiting him in the small hours when Celliers is confined and, later on, buried in the ground up to his neck as a means of punishment.
As the allies approach the camp, all prisoners are prompted to form outside the barracks, including sick and moribund ones. The climax of the film is reached by then, when Celliers breaks the rank and walks decidedly in Yonoi's direction, only to end up resolutely kissing him in the cheek with a straight face. This is an unbearable offense to Yonoi's bushido honor code; he reaches out for his katana against Celliers, only to collapse under the conflicting feelings of vindicating himself from the offense suffered in front of his troops and his own feelings for Celliers, who is subsequently sentenced to death. Captain Yonoi himself is redeployed.
Cannot believe only two people have commented on this song... It's beautiful
its based round the ideas in the movie..
its based round the ideas in the movie..
The taboo of homosexuality, especially harsh in an otherwise ultranationalist and traditional environment, is suggested throughout the film. A Korean soldier is condemned to commit seppuku after being caught in an "improper" relationship with one of the Dutch prisoners. As the execution is carried out, the Dutch prisoner, who is forced to watch it along with the rest of the prisoners and the Japanese officials as well, bites his tongue and then dies of suffocation himself.
The taboo of homosexuality, especially harsh in an otherwise ultranationalist and traditional environment, is suggested throughout the film. A Korean soldier is condemned to commit seppuku after being caught in an "improper" relationship with one of the Dutch prisoners. As the execution is carried out, the Dutch prisoner, who is forced to watch it along with the rest of the prisoners and the Japanese officials as well, bites his tongue and then dies of suffocation himself.
As Celliers is interned in the camp, Yonoi seems to develop a homoerotic fixation with him, often asking about him to Hara, silently visiting him in the small hours when Celliers is confined and, later on, buried in the ground up to his neck as a means of punishment.
As the allies approach the camp, all prisoners are prompted to form outside the barracks, including sick and moribund ones. The climax of the film is reached by then, when Celliers breaks the rank and walks decidedly in Yonoi's direction, only to end up resolutely kissing him in the cheek with a straight face. This is an unbearable offense to Yonoi's bushido honor code; he reaches out for his katana against Celliers, only to collapse under the conflicting feelings of vindicating himself from the offense suffered in front of his troops and his own feelings for Celliers, who is subsequently sentenced to death. Captain Yonoi himself is redeployed.