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Kokuho Review
Lee Sang-il’s heartfelt drama spans 50 years following the bond and rivalry between two brothers who play the rigorously observed female roles in the traditional art form
TL;DR
- The film "Kokuho" (meaning "national treasure") is a box-office hit and award-winning Japanese epic.
- It's a Cain-and-Abel drama spanning five decades, set in the world of kabuki theatre.
- The story follows Kikuo, adopted by a kabuki actor after his gangster father's death, and trained as an *onnagata* (a male actor playing female roles).
- Kikuo's bond with his adoptive brother, Shunsuke, is destroyed when their mentor favors Kikuo, leading to rivalry and betrayal.
- The film intersperses kabuki performances, such as "Sagi Musume" (Heron Maiden), highlighting themes of transformation and yearning.
- Interpretations range from a queer narrative challenging gender norms to a focus on discipline, commitment, and the artistic transformation of pain into beauty.