Watch: Is Takashi Miike's 'Audition' Feminism Or Exploitation

Takashi Miike has made his name on his prolific work ethic and his controversial, boundary-pushing films. These two qualities, obviously, have led to a filmography that’s a bit of a mixed bag, but there are some truly great works in his 90 plus credits. In a testament to his growing international reputation, Miike’s most recent films have premiered at Cannes, including the absolutely bonkers “Yakuza Apocalypse,” and competed for the Golden Lion at Venice (the epic and utterly gorgeous “13 Assassins“).

READ MORE: The Playlist’s 2016 Cannes Film Festival Coverage

All of which makes Miike an absolutely fascinating filmmaker to follow; the variances between his highs and lows are often hard to comprehend. But while his level of craft and care may fluctuate, one thing that doesn’t is his interest in violence — a violence that is, more often than not, sexual. Throughout his career Miike has been called both a feminist and a misogynist for his depictions of rape and sexualized violence against women, which brings us to his 1999 horror classic “Audition,” and Fandor‘s new Keyframe video essay.

The 3-minute “Feminist Film or Exploitation: Takashi Miike’s ‘Audition’” digs into Miike’s intense, disturbing film and the deliberate representation of a Japan in the throes of a cultural revolution and the shifting dynamics between men and women therein. “Audition” came at a time when women were gaining power — in the workplace, at home, and politically — and men were, as is so often the case, reacting poorly. The question then becomes: Is Asami the vengeful female trope? Or is she the real victim (of Aoyama’s abuse of power and Japan’s repression)?

‘Feminist Film or Exploitation’ isn’t eager to give the easy answers, but it is interested in pushing us to reconsider our thoughts on the controversial film. And while there certainly are no easy answers (even intention isn’t the final say here), perspective is important, and, much of the film does view Asami’s violence through Aoyama’s eyes…

Check out the video essay above and weigh in with your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.