Aoi Haru (2001)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 83 minuten
Alternative titles: Blue Spring / 青い春
Country:
Japan
Directed by: Toshiaki Toyoda
Stars: Ryuhei Matsuda, Hirofumi Arai and Sousuke Takaoka
IMDb score:
7,2 (5.215)
Releasedate: 9 September 2001
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Aoi Haru plot
Dangerous games are played at a rough boys' school in a Japanese suburb. There is a battle for leadership on the roof of the school. One day, the hip Kujo wins. His childhood friend Aoki idealizes him and initially Kujo accepts his leadership role. But when school comes to an end and the boys go their separate ways, Kujo loses interest in leadership. He hardly pays any attention to Aoki anymore and in doing so inevitably sets in motion a violent mechanism.
Actors and actresses
Kujo
Aoki
Yukio
Kimura
Ota
Yoshimura
Obake
Leader of Rival School Gang
Freshman in Baseball Club
Suzuki
Reviews & comments
Onderhond
-
- 87679 messages
- 13026 votes
Stay strong.
Now that the film has finally appeared on BR, priority has been given. Toyoda remains a great director, but his career is not exactly without problems. There was not much to notice at the time, when this film came out Toyoda seemed to be on the way to a long and appreciated career.
Doesn't detract from this movie of course. Remains a great combo of the Japanese school/yakuza niche and coming of age drama, where it is for Matsuda who really knows how to put himself in the spotlight. But also especially thanks to Toyoda, who allows his character to experience a slight but important growth, so that the balance between the two approaches is perfect.
Audiovisually also certainly in order, even if it is not 100% my genre. A film that, in my opinion, has very little to criticize. Strong across the board, one that will last for a few more years.
4.0* and a detailed review
Translated from Dutch · View original
Mitakcor
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- 38 messages
- 828 votes
Man, Japanese cinema has a lot of hidden gems.
Aoi Haru (2001) shows a group of students who struggle with their future because of their poor performance in school. Main character Kujo and his schoolmates are very interesting people. It is quite possible that you will not like the film because it can come across as very strange, dark and gloomy. Well, I love this!
With a lot of amazing shots, Toshiaki Toyoda has made a beautiful film that includes a phenomenal but crazy clapping game and a legendary ending of ten minutes.
My first Toyoda and already looking forward to watching his other films.
4.5*
Translated from Dutch · View original
Fisico
-
- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
Fascinating. A group of students who maintain a kind of subgroup culture by playing dangerous games on high roofs. A cold and tight approach by Toyoda which gives the film an extra dimension of rawness. Gripping too.
Halfway through it falls for me for a while and then grows to a climax again at the end. I also found a strong soundtrack with those punk songs. Great setting also with that whimsical decor. Not blown away by it, but definitely one I appreciated.
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