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| Images courtesy of Third Window Films |
Stop, this is madness!
That’s because I’m insane!
Many years ago, during a vacation, I went shallow diving on an excursion. The core memory that sticks with me from that experience is the profound silence underwater, which felt like being wrapped in a cool, weightless blanket. As someone slightly claustrophobic, I would occasionally surface to reorient myself, and I was always taken aback by the sudden loudness of the world above the water.
Mermaid Legend (1984) begins underwater, following Migiwa (Mari Shirato) as she gracefully swims through the depths in search of pearls and mollusks. However, her tranquility beneath the waves is soon disrupted by corruption and murder. On the surface, this film is about the corruption and exploitation of the working class by giant corporations.
Migiwa and her husband Keisuke (Jun Ito) both make their living by using the water, Migawa as a diver, and Keisuke by fishing. Unfortunately, their town is scouted by Kinki Electric Power, who want to build a nuclear power station on the land. As a greedy owner tries to play dirty to acquire the deed, Keisuke witnesses a yakuza murder and is taken out himself, his body unceremoniously dumped into the water. Migawa finds him on a dive and is accused of killing him and has to go on the run.
After the initial set-up, the narrative takes a different direction as Migiwa grapples with the grief of mourning her husband and finding out who was responsible for his death. Migiwa becomes a symbolic entity representing nature and the constant abuse that humanity heaps upon it in the name of profit. Shohei (Kentaro Shimizu), the son of the corporation boss, tries to establish himself as an ally, but he also takes advantage of Migiwa in a way similar to his father by using his sexual lust to take advantage of her weakened state.
Capitialism as rape both literally and figuratively is a dark theme running through this film. Migiwa's tendency to wear white clothing has a dual meaning: the Buddhist ritual in which dead bodies are dressed in white and her purity throughout the story. As it progresses, her pure outfit is sullied more and more, until she is covered in blood from head to toe, representing wrath and vengeance. Japanese mermaids, or ningyo, were said to bring misfortune or storms if spotted, and in the third act, Migiwa embraces this legend fully as she exacts her revenge on those who have wronged her and others.
Extras:
James Balmont's visual essay on Toshiyuki Honda's music is fascinating. It discusses the composer's work history and details specific albums in his discography. He even includes a link to a Spotify playlist! The commentary featuring Jaspar Sharp and Tom Mes is a great listen, as well. They cover how the '80s era of Japanese film is overlooked, background on pearl diving, the sound design and score, the goals and artistic ideology of the Director's Company, and information about the film's production.
Blu-Ray Extras:
• Interview with writer Takuya Nishioka
• Feature-length audio commentary by Jasper Sharp and Tom Mes
• Video Essay on Toshiyuki Honda by James Balmont
• Trailer
• Slipcase with artwork from Gokaiju
• ‘Directors Company’ edition featuring insert by Jasper Sharp – limited to 2000 copies
--Michelle Kisner