paradox Japanese culture is. On one hand Battle Royale is a tale about how deeply conservative Japanese society is, and on the other it relishes in the uncensored freedom that the Japanese media enjoy. This film is set in a Japanese society where its teenagers run amok and its government in an attempt to regain control, selects one school class every year, places them on an island and orders them to kill each other until there is only one survivor. This narrative makes for a brutal movie that often leaves it audience dazed and shocked. However to dismiss it as mindless violence would be a mistake as this film talks about some of the fears of Japan’s people. Kinji Fukasaku brilliantly focuses on fear of our children, as well as fear for our children, as incredible acts of violence are perpetrated in this film, by and against children. This is cleverly emphasised by casting actors of the correct age, who are more believable in portraying the melodrama of a teenagers life than the 20 something’s that would have got the job in a Hollywood production. This is a film that will not only bluntly assaults you, but leave you pondering questions for days to come.
Score: 4/5
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