Discussion: Women in Japanese Horror: Evil or just Misunderstood?
 

Hi,

I'm undertaking a small scale research project for my film studies course. My essay title is 'Women in Japanese Horror: Evil or just Misunderstood?'

The three films I will be focussing on to provide evidence for my argument are:
-Audition
-Ju On
-Ringu


Please reply with your thoughts and opinions, whether you agree or totally disagree!

misunderstood and evil?

I'd have to agree with Zero on that. Whilst the women in Japanese horror do evil things they almost always have a pretty decent reason to be doing it!

I know you didn't mention this film but it does kind of illustrate my point; If you look at The Doll Master, she has a good reason to be angry at the world and she ends up creating evil through her art (Doll Making) it's actually a really really good watch if you haven't seen it and it might help you with the essay you're doing.

I don't think they have a good reason for doing it, they might have been harmed during their childhood, but why does that mean they can take it out on others?

It is understandable perhaps as to why they do what they do, but certainly it would not be the 'normal' thing to do.

I'm not saying it's the "normal" thing to do, but they have a better reason than women in american horror movies.

Anyway, if everyone in horror had a perfectly reasonable reaction to events in life, we'd have some very boring films :p

Ju On is the only one that was misunderstood I believe. I can't remember exactly and I just watched the American remake a few weeks ago. The other two were evil. No mistake on those two.

Totally interesting subject, my first immediate thought was that the vengeful female horror icon is essentially something we associate with Asia, right?

(I know there are examples in other cultures, but bear with me.)

IF we assume that it's a character type more prevalent in Japanese/ South Korean movies, the obvious question is what makes this culture a fertile ground for her?

To draw a weird parallel: I've read articles offering theories about how Japan's extreme sex culture (porn, fetishes and those weird-ass panty vending machines) is a result of its society's repressive attitude to the subject. In short: An extreme subculture emerges as a result of repression. (I think people said the same thing about Germany in the 80/90's.)

So if the Asian horror lady is the extreme reaction, what is she a reaction TO?

Maybe the answer lies in the conditions of Japanese/South Korean women, which is a topic I'm not at all equipped to say anything about.

Just an idea :)



Aaaaaand I just realized the thread is two years old, never mind.