lazysupper

In a word, No. However, Executive Koala (Koara Kacho) is an intense tale of murder, revenge, betrayal, and honour, corporate cover-ups, genocide, and kimchi. At the same time, it serves as a scathing indictment against the systemic obstacles foreigners face in both social and business settings in Japan.

It tells the story of Keiichi Tamura, a koala who grew up in the countryside town of Sidnie, Aomori-ken. Tamura left the small town for a successful business career at the Raburus Pickle company. While living in Tokyo he falls in love with and marries a woman named Yukari. The film takes place three years after her disappearance and suspicion is finally cast on the koala when his new girlfriend is found murdered, with 33 stab wounds to her bloody corpse.

More of the koala’s past is revealed as the mystery unravels. Those he trusted turn against him while his enemies come to his side. Just when you think it’s over, it’s just beginning, and what you think is real could all be a dream. It’s astonishing what director Minoru Kawasaki was able to do with a budget of only 40 million yen. And while Citizen Kane is a boring, obnoxious piece of overrated celluloid, Executive Koala is a surreal narrative on corporate culture and societal norms full of twists and turns and other animals.

Tagged as: Japan, movies, video

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