Wow. Dan and I just finished the last part to The Human Condition and this poor, poor man. I can't decide which is more depressing, this or The Weeping Meadow. Though I cried at the end of that one, and didn't cry at the end of The Human Condition, though it still impacted me in a different way.This is a 9 and a half hour epic long film, but I do recommend you watching it. It is worth it. You will be pulled into this man's life and struggle and come to care about him. He's really well developed, and you do see him changing over time. It's amazing what these people during The World Wars had to endure. Will they ever get a break?
Dan identifies with the lead character, Kaji, in that he stands up for what he believes in and what he knows to be right, he is overlooked and treated like shit by those who despise him for this very quality, and he seems to get a lot of bad luck. The character is strong and intelligent and never backs down. The film leaves you with the message that good people suffer and die while bad ones very often thrive, though this perseverance is this innate quality within the Human Condition itself, and for those who don't have it, they will envy and despise those that do.But this is the great thing about great art, in that unlike this soldier, who represents many, many lives who were overlooked and scorned despite being inherently good, great art lives and survives further than even good character.
So give it a watch. Can't wait to read the review!
