Campaign

"Campaign" is an intriguing documentary from 2007, directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Kazuhiro Soda. The film presents an exclusive focus on an unusual political race that transfixed people both in and outside of Japan. It explores Japanese politics through the campaign of Kazuhiko “Yama-san” Yamauchi, a novice candidate sponsored by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for a difficult city council seat in Kawasaki.

The film opens with a succinct introduction of Yama-san, who is at first glance an unconventional candidate. He is a former businessman with no prior political experience, and like most viewers, he seems equally surprised about his new journey into politics. Japanese politics is known for its emphasis on hierarchy and tradition. However, here comes Yama-san, unassuming and unaware of the intricacies and complexities of political campaign strategies. Yet, his transformation from being an uninitiated to a full-blown political candidate is what makes for a fascinating watch.

The 2007 documentary reveals the highs and lows of election campaigns, illustrating how mundane and sometimes absurd they can be. It offers an undistorted view of politics, highlighting the efforts and strategies of the campaign team. It also provides an insight into the role of celebrities in politics. With the appearance of such high-profile figures as Seiko Hashimoto, Nobuteru Ishihara, and Yoriko Kawaguchi, the movie goes behind the scenes to shed light on their influence on the election.

"Campaign" does not conceal the awkwardness or fumbles of Yama-san's political team; instead, it uses these mishaps to depict the reality of their campaign. The movie captures the raw essence of human struggle, emphasizing both emotional and physical exhaustion. The grueling daily routine includes attending supermarket openings, chanting slogans, door-to-step visits, offering support at marriages and funerals, and handing out political paraphernalia. It shows the frenzied pace of the campaign and the stoic resilience of Yama-san as he becomes entangled in the whirlwind of political activity.

The film is compulsively watchable, and it orchestrates light-heartedness amid the seriousness. Be it Yama-san's uninhibited singing of his campaign jingle or the amusing moments when he gets interrupted by automated political canvass calls, the movie successfully induces humor while maintaining its core subject.

"Campaign" showcases traditional Japanese culture and societal expectations, subtly transcending the boundaries of political documentary cinema. The inherent politeness, respect for elders, and conformity to societal roles are depicted with stark clarity, revealing their omnipresence in all aspects of life, including politics.

"Campaign" is far from a rosy portrayal of political triumph. Instead, it mirrors the relentless grind that constitutes election campaigns. It demonstrates that campaigns can be reduced to a simple number game, where votes are the endpoint, the be-all and end-all of the effort. We see Yama-san pressed against ethics, time, and mental strength, showing rigid adherence to party lines and merely becoming part of an impersonal electoral machine.

Splendidly, "Campaign" doesn't merely present politics as a spectator sport but as a combination of people, ideologies, and fascinating systems that govern us. Without taking any ideological standpoints, the film uses compelling storytelling, combined with situational humor, to spark vital questions about democracy, political narratives, and public manipulation.

All in all, "Campaign" is a stirring portrait of an everyday man entangled in the cacophony of electoral politics, providing a captivating insider's view into the world of Japanese politics and its intersection with society and culture. As such, it stands as a must-watch not only for political enthusiasts but also for anyone even remotely interested in human tales of struggle and perseverance.