(the) Road to the Deep East

Dai Nihonjin


(spoiler warning)

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Japanese are sometimes called '小日本人'(show nihonjin, small Japanese) by three countries in Chinese-character-sphere, which has a long-rooted dispute against Japan. I'm not sure if Matsumoto remembered this unfamiliar combination to Japanese, but bravely, he named his first movie, 'dai nihonjin'( big Japanese – or great Japanese).


As the title says, this is a story of big Japanese. Just like Tokusatsu hero such as Ultraman, the main character, named '大佐藤' ('Dai-sato') played by Matsumoto, is a traditional soldier and guardian of Japanese islands who protects the people from the attack from bizarre monsters. Charging electric power directly into his body, the Sato the great transforms into a barbarian-like giant, and attacks his enemy.

It might sound like a typical Japanimation-esque story for children and a part of adults, but in this film, Matsumoto deals with this theme as a serious documentary. Almost 75% of this film consists of the interview with the dai-Sato played by Matsumoto, and people surrounding him. Although his work sounds like a hero, in reality, he is just a dirty middle-aged person who can't get a rise in the world, living alone separating his wife and daughter. And his activity as the Giant is now getting old-fashioned, and this Dai-sato is hated by his neighbors. Although he is paid for 500,000 yens a month, but malicious female manager leaches from him.

The concept itself may sound very intriguing. Via this fiction, Matsumoto tries to the pathos of neglected and tired old Japanese - which might be a destorted reflection of Matsumoto himself, 42-year-old single. And CG bizarre monsters, designed by Matsumoto's acute sense, based on some famous Japanese actors or actresses, adds the surrealistic effect to this movie. And in the end of the movie, Matsumoto tries to joke on the relationship among Japan, America, and North Korea.

As Matsumoto himself says in some interview, it's sure this movie is the one which the world hasn't experienced for 600 million years. This surrealistic world is the world he fabricated as a comedian, in a way no other Japanese comedians did before.

However, I have to say: as a movie, this is a too amateurish, or too banal movie.

For example, the documentary part. According to some news, it seems the documentary part was made and interviewed by a professional documentary director. However, the way Matsumoto or editor used this documentary in the film is not realistic, and hence the scheme failed. The interviewer's acting is too unnatural.

And second, I guess it is because Matsumoto didn't edit this movie himself, but the way they combine the documentary, CG battle, and another documentary is too awkward, using a very traditional trick of film. For example, when Dai-sato goes to a zoo with his daughter, the cut of monkeys are suddenly inserted. And when they arrives Tokyo Station, the camera shots the sign of 'Tokyo Station'. I don't understand the necessity of these redundant scene. Speaking of redundancy, I think the skit which jokes on North Korea was superfluous, and his too banal and plane analysys on the three countries is making this movie cheep.

And most importantly, Matsumoto is making this film, without thinking about when it is released in theaters. Using a lot of close shots, he is always minding the 4:3 screen, or when it is released as DVD.

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So, I have to conclude: "Dai Nihonjin is a failure" - as a movie. Some may like this comic skit, and I am also the person who loves this kind of stuff. But I don't think a lot of people will think it is interesting as a movie. The funny point is the concept, or ... just some part of script, and some CG characters. But other too amateurish parts minus the charm of the original skit.

As it is the first work, it seems he should still create something for TV shows, for 4:3 screen, without using luxury computer graphics. In other words, I didn't feel the possibility of Matsumoto as a film maker, which I felt I saw 'Sono otoko kyobo ni tsuki' from Kitano's virgin work.


Only the contribution of this movie must be the discovery of UA as a actress.

This 36-year-old soul singer plays a role of malicious female manager exploit some money from sponsors to Dai Sato. I think her acting was great, and had a charm to attract the audience's attention. In fact, until her appearance, the boring conversation and interview continue for 30 minutes, but her appearance changes the circumstance of the film. It seems she has already appeared on a movie years ago, but other film makers

Anyway, you need some 'Kitano-substitute', 'Next Kitano' from Japan, Mr. Matsumoto is not the person. And I think he doesn't like to be called as such. He is something different, and maybe talented for something different.