Gohatto (aka Taboo) (UK)

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Review of Gohatto (aka Taboo)
added by
Anil Khedun

A dramatic study of homoerotic obsession
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 96 mins
Retail Price: £19.99
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie

Synopsis:
Set in an all male Shinsengumi samurai school during Japan`s Shogun era, circa 1865, Gohatto (Taboo) is a dramatic study of homoerotic obsession from acclaimed director Nagisa Oshima (Max Mon Amour, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, Ai No Corrida). The Shinsengumi are an elite samurai militia formed to protect Japan`s Shogun dictatorship. Training under the leadership of Commander Isami Kondo (Yoichi Sai) and Captain Toshizo Hijikata (`Beat` Takeshi Kitano), the sword-wielding samurai adhere to a strict code of conduct designed to promote obedience, discipline and martial readiness.

The arrival of Kano (Ryuhei Matsuda), a beautiful, androgynous warrior, into the testosterone-filled ranks sparks forbidden desires amongst the men. As the psychosexual tension begins to rise, the senior officers begin to fear the consequences of Kano`s undeniable effect on the other samurai. Oshima`s first feature for 13 years, Gohatto is a classic Japanese period piece which manages to combine action and eroticism in equal measure.

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