Who Was Koji Wakamatsu? A Director Who Fought with Film as His Weapon
Does film exist only for entertainment? Or does it have the power to change society?
One director approached this question by continuing to make films as though he were fighting. Koji Wakamatsu was one of the most radical and political directors in Japanese cinema. Themes such as opposition to the establishment, revolution, violence, and oppression were always present beneath the surface of his work, which contained biting criticism of the society and politics of its time.
Wakamatsu believed in film's potential as a tool for changing society so strongly that he declared, “Film is a weapon of rebellion.” This article focuses on the politics of his films to consider the question, “Can film really change society?”
1. The Politics Within Koji Wakamatsu's Films
From the 1960s through the 1970s, Japan entered a period of major political change. As student activism intensified and the struggles over the security treaty and the activities of radical organizations became social issues, Wakamatsu depicted revolution and state violence through film.
His films contain clear messages rather than simply providing entertainment. Ecstasy of the Angels (1972), for example, portrays young people consumed by revolution while incisively identifying the gap between their ideals and reality. United Red Army (2007) recreates one of the most shocking political incidents in Japanese history, confronting audiences with the question, “What is revolution?”
These works convey political messages while also serving as films that make audiences think.
2. Film's Power to Oppose the Establishment
Koji Wakamatsu regarded film as a “weapon against the establishment.” For him, cinema was not merely commercial entertainment but a means of confronting social reality and questioning power.
① Films That Destroy Established Values
Wakamatsu's films are told from the perspective of people at society's margins rather than that of the establishment. For example, Violated Angels (1967) addresses war and the oppression of women, while The Embryo Hunts in Secret (1966) depicts madness born of social distortions.
These films confronted subjects considered taboo in Japanese society at the time, shocking viewers. By putting realities absent from commercial cinema on screen, Wakamatsu demonstrated that film has the power to shake society.
② Filmmaking That Confronts the State
Koji Wakamatsu also had experience confronting state power directly. In the 1960s, he made contact with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and produced the documentary Red Army/PFLP: Declaration of World War (1971). The film records the activities of Japan's Red Army Faction and the PLO, portraying the reality of international revolutionary movements.
However, because of its radical content, it was barely screened in Japan, and Wakamatsu faced pressure from the government and the media. Even so, he believed that he had to convey the realities of war and revolution through cinema, and continued fighting to defend freedom of expression.
3. Can Film Change Society?
“Can film change society?”
This was the question Koji Wakamatsu pursued throughout his life. His films were never the sort to become huge hits, but their messages certainly reached audiences and sparked debate.
Many people became interested in politics after watching his films, and his work has also been highly acclaimed at film festivals outside Japan. Even if film does not directly change society, it can unquestionably change people's awareness.
4. What Koji Wakamatsu Left Behind
Koji Wakamatsu died in an unexpected accident in 2012. His films, however, continue to influence many directors and viewers.
In particular, his work remains an important guide for contemporary directors who use film to question society anew. Directors such as Sion Sono and Takashi Miike, for example, have openly acknowledged his influence and carry on his spirit.
In recent years, revivals of his films have also brought their messages to younger audiences.
Conclusion: The Power of Film That Koji Wakamatsu Continued to Question
Koji Wakamatsu was a director who continually challenged society through film. Radical though they were, his works were more than shocking images: they posed the fundamental question, “How should society change?”
His films may not have changed society directly. Yet there is no doubt that they ignited something in viewers' hearts and gave them new perspectives.
If you have never seen his work, do give it a try. You are sure to discover the true power of cinema.
