This
fascinating documentary examines 63-year-old Araki, the
Japanese photographer who causes scandal with his graphic,
stylised images of nearly naked women who are bound and
vulnerable. But he also creates work that soars emotionally,
capturing humanity and nature with unusual depth. Like Mapplethorpe,
he combines a virtuoso eye for beauty with a controversial
approach to sex.
So it
comes as a slight shock to find him so likeable, lively
and hilariously witty. He's also bold, pushy and surprisingly
sweet. He clearly loves the women he photographs, adoring
their physicality and treating them with utmost respect
while flirting shamelessly. This insight into his character
is surprising since it undermines the disturbing aspect
of his extreme images, forcing us to look at them in a new
way (that is, not as photos that strip women of control).
And then there are the other pics--flowers, street scenes,
fashion--all of them are simply gorgeous. Most moving are
the Sentimental Journey and Winter Journey series depicting
his life with wife Yoko, from courtship to marriage to her
untimely death. And the "heat-developed" images
commemorating the 50th anniversary of Hiroshima is absolutely
stunning.
Araki
is genuinely enthusiastic about every kind of photography
imaginable. And this attitude is infections. Araki comes
across as this film's hilariously comical protagonist, and
director Klose makes sure we understand just how prolific
Araki has been, with both thrilling rapid-paced montages
and luxuriant explorations of every type of photography.
He even makes the connection with shunga (ancient erotic
etchings that prominently feature men, which Araki almost
never does).
For
Araki, photography is the art of capturing a single, forced
instant that condenses everything around it. And when put
together they form a line that describes life. Klose's film
goes into censorship and even covers Araki's arrest, and
the interviewees grapple with the entire porn-art issue.
Which seems to be a subject Araki can't be bothered to worry
about. Klose brilliantly captures Araki's spirit, both through
his personality and his work. This is the portrait of a
life-loving artist. And as filmmaker Kitano says, "I
don't think he suffers much."
