Why Not?

Why Not? (1981)

January 8th, 19812h 31min

Drama
61%

Overview

The film depicts carnivalesque atmosphere summed up by the cry "Ei ja nai ka" ("Why not?") in Japan in 1867 and 1868 in the days leading to the Meiji Restoration. It examines the effects of the political and social upheaval of the time, and culminates in a revelrous march on the Tokyo Imperial Palace, which turns into a massacre. Characteristically, Imamura focuses not on the leaders of the country, but on characters in the lower classes and on the fringes of society.


Make sure to check your pop-up blocker!!

Trailer

Similar Movies

Mountain Woman

Mountain Woman


Released on: 2023-06-30
Drama

Late 18th century, Tohoku. An outcast girl, Rin lives in a village suffering from famine. She draws ...

The 47 Ronin

The 47 Ronin


Released on: 1941-12-08
Drama, History

In 1701, Lord Takuminokami Asano has a feud with Lord Kira and he tries to kill Kira in the corridor...

Yamazakura, The Cherry Tree in the Hills

Yamazakura, The Cherry Tree in the Hills


Released on: 2008-05-31
History, Drama

Based on a short story written by Shuhei Fujisawa (who also wrote Twilight Samurai, The Hidden Blade...

Empire of Passion

Empire of Passion


Released on: 1978-09-06
Drama, Romance, Horror

In a small Japanese village at the end of the 19th century, a rickshaw driver's wife takes on a much...

His Master's Voice

His Master's Voice


Released on: 2014-08-23
Drama

In the late 19th century, rakugo student Taihei gives up hope of making the grade, and his despair l...

Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku

Onihei Crime Files: The Final Zenpen - Gonenme no Kyaku


Released on: 2016-12-02
TV Movie, Action, Drama

Sekigahara

Sekigahara


Released on: 2017-08-26
War, History, Drama

The background to and depiction of a watershed battle in Japanese history, at Sekigahara in 1600, wh...

Yojimbo

Yojimbo


Released on: 1961-04-25
Drama, Thriller

A nameless ronin, or samurai with no master, enters a small village in feudal Japan where two rival ...

The Tale of Zatoichi

The Tale of Zatoichi


Released on: 1962-04-18
Adventure, Action, Drama

The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman. Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controll...

Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice

Hanzo the Razor: Sword of Justice


Released on: 1972-12-30
Action, Drama

Fearless Edo-period police inspector Hanzo Itami, nicknamed The Razor, has developed his own unique ...

Hanzo the Razor: The Snare

Hanzo the Razor: The Snare


Released on: 1973-08-11
History, Action, Drama

Against the backdrop of the Edo treasury devaluing currency and driving many into poverty, Hanzo Ita...

Hanzo the Razor: Who's Got the Gold?

Hanzo the Razor: Who's Got the Gold?


Released on: 1974-02-09
Action, Drama

Hanzo extracts a confession from a ghost using his assaulting methods, foils thieves, connects with ...

The Twilight Samurai

The Twilight Samurai


Released on: 2002-11-02
Drama, Romance

Seibei Iguchi leads a difficult life as a low ranking samurai at the turn of the nineteenth century....

Sanjuro

Sanjuro


Released on: 1962-01-01
Drama, Action, Comedy

Toshiro Mifune swaggers and snarls to brilliant comic effect in Kurosawa's tightly paced, beautifull...

Kagemusha

Kagemusha


Released on: 1980-04-26
Action, Drama, History, War

Akira Kurosawa's lauded feudal epic presents the tale of a petty thief who is recruited to impersona...

Jōiuchi

Jōiuchi


Released on: 2020-12-05
Drama, TV Movie, History

One samurai is ordered to kill another by their master in punishment.

Korosuna

Korosuna


Released on: 2022-01-28
Drama

Kotani Zenzaemon, a ronin who has a side job making brushes in a tenement house in the back alley, i...

Kenpu Renpeikan

Kenpu Renpeikan


Released on: 1944-01-03
History, Drama

Near the end of the shogunate in Japan, Katsura Shogoro and his fellow samurai from the southwestern...

The Ambitious

The Ambitious


Released on: 1970-02-14
Action, Adventure, Drama

The story of Ryoma Sakamoto, considered to be the architect behind the downfall of the Tokugawa shog...

Onihei Crime Files: Sutegoro Takahagi

Onihei Crime Files: Sutegoro Takahagi


Released on: 2010-06-18
Action, Drama, TV Movie, Crime

Takahagi Sutegoro is highly skilled at casing locations for thieves so that he can sell detailed flo...