Audition
She always gets a part.
Overview
Seven years after the death of his wife, widower Shigeharu seeks advice on how to find a new wife from a colleague. Taking advantage of their position as a film company, they stage an audition. Interviewing a series of women, Shigeharu is enchanted by the quiet Asami. But soon things take a twisted turn as Asami isn’t what she seems to be.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Audition reflects anxieties surrounding arranged marriages and the objectification of women in Japanese society. The film also taps into the psychological trauma of loss and the dangers of romanticizing idealized versions of people. It can be interpreted as a critique of the male gaze and the potential for misinterpreting submissiveness as genuine affection.
- The masterful direction and unsettling atmosphere that gradually builds suspense and dread.
- Ryo Ishibashi's portrayal of Aoyama, showcasing a grieving widower slowly succumbing to delusion.
- Takashi Miike's unflinching exploration of societal expectations surrounding gender roles and the pressures placed on women.
- The film's shocking and memorable imagery, which lingers long after the credits roll.
Fun Facts
- The sound of the wire saw cutting flesh was created using a combination of celery being chopped and a rubber glove being scraped.
- The original novel by Ryu Murakami is even more graphic and delves deeper into Asami's backstory and motivations.
- Takashi Miike initially wanted to make a straight horror film, but the producers encouraged him to focus on the psychological aspects of the story.