Chris Marker’s Bullfight in Okinawa is a bizarre, 4 min documentary that introduces viewers to Japan’s subterranean past time of bullfighting. Part of Markers five-film “Bestiary” series, Bullfight employs observational documentary techniques and, in particular, Marker’s camerawork is impressive — tight framed shots, free-hand pans, and quick zooms all contribute to the film’s urgent sense of tension — and, if it weren’t for the suspense inducing music, this short-gem would be damn close to pure objective documentary cinema.
Be sure not to miss this short, hidden-gem — it’s only four minutes long, and is quite the bizarre spectacle — witness the primal rage of two seemingly bull-trainers as they shout at fighting bulls.
This film is part of the Viva Documentary 2009 film series.
Playing with Yung Chang’s Up the Yangtze (2008).
Tuesday, April 21st
5:15pm @ the Michael Rabiger Center for Documentary Film.
1104 S. Wabash RM 407, Chicago, IL
Bullfight is pretty twisted. At least that’s how my belly felt when I first watched it.
good stuff!
– cinemasochist
You will have your jaw dropped for the entire four minutes. Thought provoking, Awe inspiring, and Emotive power.