KARACHI: The final day of the Japanese Film Festival 2015 took viewers back to the Edo period (1615-1868) with the screening of Three for the Road, a 2007 production in which the unlikely protagonist is Okino, a popular courtesan.

Considered to be a significant era in Japan’s history, the Edo period was a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity after years of civil unrest. And as a result, the country progressed dramatically, especially Edo, now known as Tokyo.

And it is in Edo where we meet three misfits that form the backbone of Three for the Road.

Okino has crossed her prime in a profession that requires her beauty and charms to withstand the vagaries of life and she finally decides to leave. A strong-willed woman, Okino employs her charm to survive the constant demands on her life, admittedly fleecing her customers and admirers whenever possible.

Despite her less than honest transactions, the viewer cannot help but empathise with her situation. Heavily in debt and unable to start a new life, she decides to trick a widower Yaji, professing her love for him so that he can aid in her escape.

The movie is a fascinating amalgamation of irony, tragedy and comedy. Situations which would otherwise be of a grave nature are tackled by each character with poise and humour, be it Yaji losing his wife and child, or Okino, who was sold into prostitution by her father when just 13.

Okino lies to Yaji about her dying father to convince him to help her escape and as their journey in disguise begins, a third wheel is added on. Kita, Yaji’s childhood friend pleads with his friend to take him along.

Kita’s introduction to the audience is on stage, while enacting a scene of the 47 Ronin, a group of samurais on the hunt for revenge. Bad footwork causes Kita to slip and mess up the entire production for which he is derided, ridiculed and ostracised from society. Even his consequent suicide attempt is so dramatically ridiculous that the audience was in tears of laughter, despite the seriousness of the attempt.

And so the three — Okino, Yaji and Kita — escape the brothel thugs and set out in search for home, from Edo to Kyoto.

From raccoons with mystical powers, to gambling dens, the three embark on a journey where they come across different types of oddities on the way but are undeterred in their quest, or almost undeterred.

Three for the Road, apart from being an endearing comedy, also introduced to audiences Japanese traditions practiced during the Edo period. One such was the slicing off of the finger by courtesans to give to a wealthy patron, or a lover she truly cared for.

The projection of this gruesome sacrifice was done in a humorous way in the film, as Yaji is hired by Okino to sculpt pastries in the shape of human fingers and send out to the brothel’s customers, in a bid to earn extra on the side.

Attendance at the festival on the final day was overwhelming. From schoolchildren to Japanese culture enthusiasts, the crowd was as diverse and colourful as the festival itself.

Credit must be given for an exceptional selection of films. Be it animated, drama or comedy, all had a similar thread of depicting life in Japan, be it in the cities or in rural Japan and were genuinely enjoyed by audiences.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2015

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