Theatrical excursion (the Gaijin Buffer Zone)
11th Aug, 2006
So I decided to venture out on my own and see the first DeathNote movie. This seemed like a fair choice for an all-Japanese film, as I'd read enough of the manga to be able to bluff my way through the storyline. I'd never been to a film alone before – I can't really tell if that's noteworthy or just sad – so was conscious of this, but given I am ALMIGHTY GAIJIN, it's not as if my solitude is what would get people talking.
When you go to the cinema in Japan, you always request your seat of choice as you purchase your ticket – despite the fact that I'd picked the back area, which was very crowded, I suppose it shouldn't have come as a surprise that the clerk had kindly left a two-seat Gaijin Buffer Zone around me so that no one would have to get too close.
Apart from the fact that Japanese people don't seem to laugh during films (hey, I can understand enough to tell when something funny's going on. And if you don't laugh at L stirring his cup of tea with a chupachup, there's something wrong with you), I learned one valuable lesson from this adventure: Japan knows how to use guilt. I'm talking of course, about the video piracy campaign that heads up most films these days.
Shame is essentially the foundation of Japanese morality – punishment for just about anything can be reduced to emphasising dishonour, and will bring about more fear than the death penalty. This is certainly a far cry from what I'm familiar with – back home, if you want a kid to shut up, you're unlikely to get a response until you belt him one. But I digress.
Most of you will be aware of the Australian piracy ad campaign – a crude, 80s style cut and paste set to bad bass, presumably intended to hit our demographic right where it hurts – our desire to be cool! It really misses the mark though, and is just incredibly corny. Japan's campaign on the other hand, is far more arthouse. The gentle face of a beautiful young woman appears. Tears begin silently rolling down her cheeks, while her innocent eyes stare directly into your soul. As the tears fall, they blacken, becoming film fluid that bleeds into a skull and crossbones motif. The message is clear: Piracy makes cute Japanese girls cry. I honestly think the western world should latch onto this concept, and not just for piracy – for shoplifting, recycling, dieting – I know I'd have trouble reaching for that second cookie if I had that haunting image in my mind.
I'm not sure how effective the ads are in Japan, however – a society that seems to not just condone piracy, but actually encourage it – the video rental store sells burnable CDs and DVDs right there at the counter for your convenience. At least they're making a show of being legally responsible. Just like they're making a show of being environmentally conscious. At least, that's how it rolls in the ghetto anyway.
Japan's big on garbage separation, having anywhere from 2 to 15 categories, depending on where you live. One of the inaka JETs has so many garbage divisions that her kitchen is dominated by rubbish bins and she has to store her trash in the freezer to keep it from smelling before collection day rolls around. My little danchi has only three divisions – combustibles, non-combustibles and PET bottles. PET bottles get recycled, apparently. Paper and combustibles, rather than being recycled, are burned (as the name-implies). And I'm told, contrary to the title, non-combustibles are also burned, just at a higher temperature. But with all those different-coloured baggies occupying the dumpster, anyone would think there was some truly noble disposal system in place.
So I decided to venture out on my own and see the first DeathNote movie. This seemed like a fair choice for an all-Japanese film, as I'd read enough of the manga to be able to bluff my way through the storyline. I'd never been to a film alone before – I can't really tell if that's noteworthy or just sad – so was conscious of this, but given I am ALMIGHTY GAIJIN, it's not as if my solitude is what would get people talking.
When you go to the cinema in Japan, you always request your seat of choice as you purchase your ticket – despite the fact that I'd picked the back area, which was very crowded, I suppose it shouldn't have come as a surprise that the clerk had kindly left a two-seat Gaijin Buffer Zone around me so that no one would have to get too close.
Apart from the fact that Japanese people don't seem to laugh during films (hey, I can understand enough to tell when something funny's going on. And if you don't laugh at L stirring his cup of tea with a chupachup, there's something wrong with you), I learned one valuable lesson from this adventure: Japan knows how to use guilt. I'm talking of course, about the video piracy campaign that heads up most films these days.
Shame is essentially the foundation of Japanese morality – punishment for just about anything can be reduced to emphasising dishonour, and will bring about more fear than the death penalty. This is certainly a far cry from what I'm familiar with – back home, if you want a kid to shut up, you're unlikely to get a response until you belt him one. But I digress.
Most of you will be aware of the Australian piracy ad campaign – a crude, 80s style cut and paste set to bad bass, presumably intended to hit our demographic right where it hurts – our desire to be cool! It really misses the mark though, and is just incredibly corny. Japan's campaign on the other hand, is far more arthouse. The gentle face of a beautiful young woman appears. Tears begin silently rolling down her cheeks, while her innocent eyes stare directly into your soul. As the tears fall, they blacken, becoming film fluid that bleeds into a skull and crossbones motif. The message is clear: Piracy makes cute Japanese girls cry. I honestly think the western world should latch onto this concept, and not just for piracy – for shoplifting, recycling, dieting – I know I'd have trouble reaching for that second cookie if I had that haunting image in my mind.
I'm not sure how effective the ads are in Japan, however – a society that seems to not just condone piracy, but actually encourage it – the video rental store sells burnable CDs and DVDs right there at the counter for your convenience. At least they're making a show of being legally responsible. Just like they're making a show of being environmentally conscious. At least, that's how it rolls in the ghetto anyway.
Japan's big on garbage separation, having anywhere from 2 to 15 categories, depending on where you live. One of the inaka JETs has so many garbage divisions that her kitchen is dominated by rubbish bins and she has to store her trash in the freezer to keep it from smelling before collection day rolls around. My little danchi has only three divisions – combustibles, non-combustibles and PET bottles. PET bottles get recycled, apparently. Paper and combustibles, rather than being recycled, are burned (as the name-implies). And I'm told, contrary to the title, non-combustibles are also burned, just at a higher temperature. But with all those different-coloured baggies occupying the dumpster, anyone would think there was some truly noble disposal system in place.
Perhaps the anti-piracy ads have have similar effect as they do here - if you're going to suffer the guilt of having made cute girls cry when you watch a movie either way, you may as well pirate movies. By having a campaign with more impact, the individuals feel they are more justified in commiting the crime they're being punished for.
Posted by Nic | 1:57 PM
Deathnote movie FTW! It is awesome in so many ways, yet so disapointing in others..but i can assure you that the fan girls we have at the office giggled delightfully when L appearaed in the screen. I think I giggled with excitement when a few easily recongisable scenes came on as well! Mainly with Matsuda and how he reacts, its perfect!
Can't wait till movie 2 comes out in November!
Posted by Sly of the magical brow land | 7:43 PM
Aww A-chan, you are so lucky seeing the Deathnote movie!
X3 L is awesome... he so cool.
Now that is an interesting anti piracy tactic...lol, they should bring it over here.
Posted by angelic_vampire | 4:12 PM