Due to the sole influence of this .gif, I decided to watch Memories of Matsuko, the film from whence it came.

Contrary to what the image above indicates, it is not a comedy. It is the story of murder victim Kawajiri Matsuko, a kind-hearted woman whose life we watch gradually deteriorate as she flits from one abusive relationship to the next, into prostitution, imprisonment, and eventually insanity. It’s the quintessential example of “bad things happening to good people.”

However depressing the protagonist’s story may be, it is still strangely uplifting in a way that is very hard to describe. Her recurring hope throughout all her ordeals may contribute (though she loses it in the end), and although the film is very realistic in the sense that the bad guys don’t always get what’s coming to them, and the good aren’t always rewarded, her death scene is one of the most bittersweet I’ve ever seen in a film. (The actual method of and reason for her death is horrible and slightly ironic, but as the viewers we are relieved that she doesn’t have to endure any more suffering.)

Aside from the actual plot, it was very interesting to see so many “crazy” aspects of Japanese culture portrayed in an environment where they don’t seem so weird. I was pretty surprised that I didn’t “wtf” at everything I usually would have (had I seen them out of context).

Anyone who has seen Amelié will notice several base similarities (in both cinematography and method of direction), but Matsuko is much darker.

To note: I am NOT an anime geek/otaku/japanophile/etc. (I do not read/watch anime or obsess over ANY country that isn’t Sweden). Memories of Matsuko was a genuinely good film that received several awards and nominations at the Japanese Academy Awards (including best actress) in addition to winning at several other film festivals. I highly recommend it.