Eijanaika

Picking his way through the anarchy and absurdity of a society in violent transition like some oriental Makavejev, Imamura breathes bawdy life into the bones of Japanese history with this mosaic portrait of the political chaos preceding the Imperial Meiji Restoration. A confusing welter of factions and mercenary figures flit through a complex of allegiances and relationships, but as the title translates - echoing the rioters' cries - 'What the hell'. The canvas is vivid enough to impress the most Eurocentric of spectators.