CHASUKE’S JOURNEY/TEN NO CHASUKE

Japan, 2015, 106 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Sabu.

This is a Japanese fantasy, a story about writers in heaven, devising scenarios for people on earth, under the overall supervision of the The Man, a God-equivalent.

The opening scenes are in heaven where the hero, Chasuke, serves tea to the writers. He comments on some of the screenplays and is concerned about a young woman who is killed, and is then sent down to save her. He encounters several people who are central characters in the stories by other writers. They help him to save the young woman – although, it emerges that Chasuke was a member of the Yakuza and is being pursued by gangsters. Needless to say, there is happy ending, along the lines of women Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire – happiness on earth seems to be better than happiness in heaven.

The film was written and directed by novelist, Sabu.

1. A Japanese fantasy, comic and serious?

2. The possibilities for audiences willing to suspend disbelief? Heaven, The Man, overturned the God, the screenwriters, the large rolls of paper, the script? The scenarios? Characters, influencing the stories? Possibilities for change? For saving lives?

3. The writers, suggestions, the calligraphy, suggestions for script? The serving of tea?

4. Chasuke, serving the tea, his interest in the stories, his interventions?

5. His being sympathetic, listening to the stories, their being visualised, his being upset about Yuri, her death? His being sent to earth? The fall and confusion, landing in the middle of the Festival, trying to get out? Tonadda and his coming to save him? Joe and the shop? The meal, the time to save Yuri, his running, the rescue, their being hit?

6. Tonada’s story, his mother, orphan, wanting to be an actor, teaching, his father giving him the shop? The antiques?

7. Joe’s story, the difficulties, orphan, the many fathers, crime, learning to box, his career, retiring?

8. Yuri, her story, the past, mute, the folk, the chase, the man killing her?

9. All the action and adventures to help Yuri, the rescue?

10. Chasuke as an angel, sprouting wings, his ability to heal, the crowd’s coming, the television interview, the studio, the host, the painted policeman, the thug, the shooting? Yuri and her injuries, Chasuke healing her?

11. Pon, his story, young, learning the tricks, his career, television host, celebrity?

12. Everybody joining with Chasuke to help?

13. The revelation about Chasuke and his background, the Yakuza, his mother, his memories, the tattooes returning, the violence, the Yakuza chiefs, the violence?

14. The pursuit, the gangsters?

15. The final parade, Yuri and Chasuke being lifted? The possibility of heaven?

16. Chasuke and Yuri, the decision to stay on earth and be happy?