Giri (Short Film)

[Bill Mattocks]

I didn't say I didn't appreciate the artistry or the actors or the historical subject matter. I said I didn't care for the film. I've had enough of killing, and I don't care what it's for. No glorious history or well-shot movie can convey the smell, the sound, the horror, and the mental and emotional aftermath of those who survive.

"Out, damned spot."

 

[Steve]

The populace are generally in favour of assisted suicide for those suffering with terminal illness. The 23+ unelected bishops in the House of Lords scupper any legislation to do with it and anything of that kind of ilk.

It's a tough discussion. In the USA, assisted suicide is legal in some States, but obviously, it's restricted to a very narrow set of circumstances.

‘Micah‘ has cancer, he will suffer terribly. He asks his student, ‘Ray’ to assist him in sparing him the indignity of this kind of death and instead to chose the time, place and manner of his death, in this case by seppuku. The opening scene with the conversation between ‘Kate’ and Ray on Crosby beach suggests Ray has had an internal struggle with Micah’s request but has decided that his sense of obligation and perhaps love toward his teacher outweighs the Western senses of social/moral/legal righteousness. Ray cuts his teacher’s head off. 😐

Yeah, that's the plot. But you posted the video for some reason. What do you get from the video? It's obviously trying to say something. What do you think that is?

Personally, I mentioned that it's a cautionary tale... though I'm sure that's not what was intended. The takeaway for me is that this is what can happen when you find yourself being drawn into a fringe group with extreme beliefs, and end up seeing things that should be overtly abhorrent as just fine. This could just as easily be about cannibalism or Q-anon. The takeaway is to show how otherwise, seemingly rational people can be drawn to extremist beliefs, to the point where cutting off a friend's head seems not just normal, but noble.

 

[Gyakuto]

I am reminded of the parable of the blind men and the elephant or the man staring at the pointing finger and missing ‘all the heavenly glory’ 😉

 

[Gyakuto]

But you posted the video for some reason.

I enjoyed this piece of fiction, like I enjoyed Last Samurai, Saving Private Ryan and I thought others would too.

 

[Gyakuto]

Personally, I mentioned that it's a cautionary tale... though I'm sure that's not what was intended. The takeaway for me is that this is what can happen when you find yourself being drawn into a fringe group with extreme beliefs, and end up seeing things that should be overtly abhorrent as just fine. This could just as easily be about cannibalism or Q-anon. The takeaway is to show how otherwise, seemingly rational people can be drawn to extremist beliefs, to the point where cutting off a friend's head seems not just normal, but noble.

That is your personal take on this film based upon your unique experiences and attitudes. I’m aligned with Buka’s

 

[Steve]

I am reminded of the parable of the blind men and the elephant or the man staring at the pointing finger and missing ‘all the heavenly glory’ 😉

I enjoyed this piece of fiction, like I enjoyed Last Samurai, Saving Private Ryan and I thought others would too.

That is your personal take on this film based upon your unique experiences and attitudes. I’m aligned with Buka’s

Context matters, and in art, when you take something out of its historical context and put it into a modern context, you usually do so for some reason... to make some kind of point. If this were simply a short film set in historical japan, it would make more sense. But it's very specifically and intentionally set in modern day UK.

 

[Oily Dragon]

Dude. Petrichor is a delight. One of my favorite smells.

But yeah, murder. I'm curious what the UK's general stance is (legally and socially) on assisted suicide. I'm also really interested to hear from folks what the intended takeaway is supposed to be. It seems to be more of a cautionary tale than anything else.

Petrichor? Had to look that up and it said "warm rain". Yes, I agree on that.

Also not something I associate with England. But to be fair, I've only been there a few times and it was cold and wet.

Full disclosure, my idea of warm rain is Blue Mountain Appalachia.

 

[Oily Dragon]

He probably wouldn’t (not withstanding that this is a complete piece of fiction). There have been a few cases of assisted suicide in the U.K. and British subjects in Europe (most recently) over the years and they’ve generally been released from prison after several months of investigation.

Unless we're in The Highlander Universe, and Terry is immortal....he probably is going to die in prison.

And that's just for cutting his friend's head off. Imagine the mental anguish of murdering your best friend because he begged you and didn't need to.

There's no shame in dying slowly from cancer. There's also no shame in seeking actual help for your suicidal fantasies, as opposed to pretending to be a Samurai (of which there are precisely 0 living, no matter how they dress or act).

To quote General Washington to Hamilton (from Hamilton): "dying is easy, young man. Living is harder".

 

[Gyakuto]

Petrichor? Had to look that up and it said "warm rain". Yes, I agree on that.

Also not something I associate with England. But to be fair, I've only been there a few times and it was cold and wet.

Full disclosure, my idea of warm rain is Blue Mountain Appalachia.

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It’s the pleasant odour one gets after rain wets the dry earth. It’s cause by bacteria.

 

[Oily Dragon]

It’s the pleasant odour one gets after rain wets the dry earth. It’s cause by bacteria.

You should smell it in New England. We came up with that name because Old England is cold and damp.

 

[Steve]

Petrichor? Had to look that up and it said "warm rain". Yes, I agree on that.

Also not something I associate with England. But to be fair, I've only been there a few times and it was cold and wet.

Full disclosure, my idea of warm rain is Blue Mountain Appalachia.

View attachment 30210

Petrichor is that wonderful smell of rain. I don't think it's unique to warm or cold rains, though I have noticed that seems more pronounced after it's been dry for a bit, and then lightly rains. I associate it with the onset of Autumn in the great PNW.

We don't get a lot of warm rains up here, but it's not always super cold, either. Now, for warm rain I think of Texas thunderstorms.

 

[Gyakuto]

There's no shame in dying slowly from cancer.

That’s true. My other half is a cancer specialist. With the exception of certain quite treatable cancers, we personally wouldn’t end chose to die after cancer treatment.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

When most mammals die, and humans are no exception, they empty their bladders and void their bowels. Open intestines have a different smell, as does blood, which gets everywhere and you can slip and bust your head open just trying to get out of there. And you will want to get out of there.

There is no glory here. There are no lessons. There is no honor. It's the ugliest mess you can imagine, times some imaginary number such that you can't picture it and if you have, you wish to all the angels and ministers of grace you hadn't.

EDIT: and thanks, my PTSD is now quite stirred up. I am out for a bit. Take care, friends.

 

[Oily Dragon]

Petrichor is that wonderful smell of rain. I don't think it's unique to warm or cold rains, though I have noticed that seems more pronounced after it's been dry for a bit, and then lightly rains. I associate it with the onset of Autumn in the great PNW.

We don't get a lot of warm rains up here, but it's not always super cold, either. Now, for warm rain I think of Texas thunderstorms.

I'll take Seattle or Portland over England any day, dude.

I rewatched the OP video and realized how much the Aikido dude needed a bright, sunny, wet day to remind him what was good in life.

The "your chemotherapy has been scheduled" letter????? Leave that to France, honestly. In fact, this short was very French in nature.

Your move, England.

 

[Gyakuto]

I'll take Seattle or Portland over England any day, dude.

I rewatched the OP video and realized how much the Aikido dude needed a bright, sunny, wet day to remind him what was good in life.

The "your chemotherapy has been scheduled" letter????? Leave that to France, honestly. In fact, this short was very French in nature.

Your move, England.

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England is a sh*t hole. It’s an awful place to live.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

I'll take Seattle or Portland over England any day, dude.

The best place to live in US is limited.

East coast has too many hurricanes. North of San Francisco is too cold. South of LA is too hot.

 

[Steve]

The best place to live in US is limited.

East coast has too many hurricanes. North of San Francisco is too cold. South of LA is too hot.

Seattle is horrible. You’d hate it here. Listen to Fox News. It’s terrible. Please stay where you are.

 

[Oily Dragon]

Seattle is horrible. You’d hate it here. Listen to Fox News. It’s terrible. Please stay where you are.

I actually like pine trees and rain.

I had a great steak in Seattle once, with a roasted garlic infusion and fresh minced crab Oscar style. Even better, I wasn't paying.

 

[Oily Dragon]

England is a sh*t hole. It’s an awful place to live.

The people are ok. But sometimes you get the feeling they get hungry watching "Sweeny Todd".

It's all in their history. Bloody this, bloody that. Weighs on a people over centuries.

Their national heroes literally murdered all their enemies. Where else do you have a still have a Great House that controls all the land, other than "Game of Thrones".

 

[Gyakuto]

The people are ok. But sometimes you get the feeling they get hungry watching "Sweeny Todd".

It's all in their history. Bloody this, bloody that. Weighs on a people over centuries.

Their national heroes literally murdered all their enemies. Where else do you have a still have a Great House that controls all the land, other than "Game of Thrones".

You are absolutely right and there’s a good reason people left for the North American continent from Plymouth. I envy the peaceful nature of the USA, where people of all colours and creeds live in gentle harmony, and and when the very rare bad things happen, they kindly give you alerts directly to your phone.

There’s a new book called ‘The Unruly’ by David Mitchell which recounts the really weird, drug gang-like way Britain became a country due to blood thirsty, insane Kings…the parallels with LA’s drug baron’s dividing of the city it uncanny. It’s hilariously written and I highly recommend it.