The Ceremony (Gishiki)

‘In this scathing portrayal of a highly dysfunctional (and extremely influential) dynasty, Oshima slips a ticking time bomb into the otherwise tranquil world of the classic Japanese family melodrama. For over a quarter of a century, he follows the Sakurada clan in their dogged quest to preserve their reputation and honour (…). Masuo, the youngest scion of the family, struggles during a succession of weddings and funerals to keep the Sakuradas’ skeletons – incest, simmering resentment and other secrets – locked away in the cellar; every hollow ceremony is another step towards their own downfall.” (Metrograph)

‘I’m a huge fan of Nagisa Oshima. He was one of the most radical Japanese directors of the 1960s, a true master. The Ceremony is a powerful, cross-generational family drama and highly ambitious on both a familial and political level (…). Oshima was never afraid to see his ideas through from start to finish, and always skilfully sidestepped the censors who took issue with his political message about post-war Japan.” (Richard Linklater in conversation with Indiewire)