University of Laughs (DVD) (Standard Edition) (English Subtitled) (Japan Version) DVD Region 2
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YesAsia Editorial Description
Set in pre-war Japan, the story centers on one man's hilarious struggle for artistic freedom as a humorless government censor (Shall We Dance?'s Koji Yakusho) tries to make a jittery playwright (Goro Inagaki) alter the farcical script he's developed for his Asakusa comedy troupe. As the two men work with and against each other, the script begins to change with unexpected results. Hailed for its laugh-out loud funny gags, Warai no Daigaku was also singled out by critics for its serious backdrop - militaristic oppression in the face of impending war - which was incorporated into the film's final act. Complex, but still hilarious, Warai no Daigaku is one comedy unafraid to challenge its audience!
Technical Information
Product Title: | University of Laughs (DVD) (Standard Edition) (English Subtitled) (Japan Version) 笑之大學 (DVD) (Standard Edition) (英文字幕) (日本版) 笑之大学 (DVD) (Standard Edition) (英文字幕) (日本版) 笑の大学 スタンダード・エディション University of Laughs (DVD) (Standard Edition) (English Subtitled) (Japan Version) |
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Also known as: | Warai no Daigaku Warai no Daigaku Warai no Daigaku Warai no Daigaku Warai no Daigaku |
Artist Name(s): | Yakusho Koji (Actor) | Inagaki Goro (Actor) | Takahashi Masaya (Actor) | Komatsu Masao (Actor) | Kimura Tae (Actor) 役所廣司 (Actor) | 稻垣吾郎 (Actor) | 高橋昌也 (Actor) | 小松政夫 (Actor) | 木村多江 (Actor) 役所广司 (Actor) | 稻垣吾郎 (Actor) | 高桥昌也 (Actor) | 小松政夫 (Actor) | 木村多江 (Actor) 亀山千広(製作) | 本間勇輔(音楽) | 高瀬比呂志(撮影) | 清水剛(美術) | 三谷幸喜(脚本) | 石原隆(企画) | 島谷能成(製作) | 伊東勇(製作) | 三谷幸喜(原作) | 山本正明(編集) | 役所広司 (Actor) | 稲垣吾郎 (Actor) | 高橋昌也 (Actor) | 小松政夫 (Actor) | 木村多江 (Actor) Yakusho Koji (Actor) | Inagaki Goro (Actor) | Takahashi Masaya (Actor) | Masao Komatsu (Actor) | Kimura Tae (Actor) |
Director: | Hoshi Mamoru 星護 星护 星護(監督) | 星護 Hoshi Mamoru |
Release Date: | 2005-05-27 |
Publisher Product Code: | TDV-15184D |
Language: | Japanese |
Subtitles: | English, Japanese |
Place of Origin: | Japan |
Picture Format: | NTSC What is it? |
Disc Format(s): | DVD |
Region Code: | 2 - Japan, Europe, South Africa, Greenland and the Middle East (including Egypt) What is it? |
Other Information: | DVD |
Shipment Unit: | 1 What is it? |
YesAsia Catalog No.: | 1003954774 |
Product Information
映像不可能といわれた三谷幸喜による原作・脚本「笑の大学」が早くもDVDがリリース!! 監督は、ドラマ「古畑任三郎」「僕の生きる道」などの星護が満を持して監督デビュー!! 舞台は昭和15年。日本は戦争への道を歩み始め、国民の娯楽である演劇は規制され台本も上演前に検閲を受けていた。そんな時代に、警視庁の取調室で出会った2人の男。1人は笑ったことがない検閲官・向坂睦男(役所広司)、1人は笑いに命をかける、劇団・笑の大学座付作家・椿一(稲垣吾郎)。椿は上演許可を貰うため、向坂の要求を飲みながらも「笑い」を増やす抜け道を必死に考えていく・・・。 映像特典:オーディオコメンタリー
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Awards
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Japan Academy Prize 2005
- Screen Play of the Year Nomination, Mitani Koki
- Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Nomination, Yakusho Koji
YumCha! Asian Entertainment Reviews and Features
Professional Review of "University of Laughs (DVD) (Standard Edition) (English Subtitled) (Japan Version)"
While comedy always runs the risk of being lost in translation, Hoshi Mamoru's University of Laughs suffers from no such problem. Based on the popular 1996 stage play by Mitani Koko, this comical adaptation makes a successful leap to the big screen and is sure to have audiences rolling in the aisles, no matter what their national origin may be. Set in 1940 Japan, the movie centers on seven days in the life of Tsubaki Hajime (SMAP's Inagaki Goro), a jittery, but earnest writer/director for an Asakusa comedy troupe, who is obligated by law to submit his latest script for governmental approval before it can be performed in public. This normally wouldn't be much of a problem, since Tsubaki's previous visits to the censor have resulted in approval with only minor edits. But unfortunately for the hapless writer, there's a new sheriff in town in the form of Sakisaka Mutsuo (the great Yakusho Koji), a hard-nosed police censor with a big axe to grind with purveyors of "lowbrow" entertainment. Unimpressed with some of the liberties Tsubaki has taken in his script, Sakisaka mercilessly points out the "faults" of the play, believing them to be too extensive to be revised. Tsubaki pleads with Sakisaka, who eventually agrees to allow him another chance, suggesting that the playwright make certain key changes and come back the next day. And so begins a seven day battle of wits between the two men, that eventually blossoms into the unlikeliest of partnerships. Although the first few meetings begin with the seemingly humorless Sakisaka making unreasonable demands, Tsubaki soon realizes the stoic official has a talent for comedy. With each passing visit, Sakisaka transforms from censor to de facto script doctor, evaluating the play less for its possible inflammatory content and more on its comedic value. Consequently, Tsubaki's parody of Romeo and Juliet, which seems funny on its own, becomes even funnier thanks to Sakisaka's unconventional help. Although frustrated by the process, Tsubaki soon learns that when an artist is forced to work within constraints, he can sometimes create something ten times better than he ever could with complete artistic freedom. But even as this partnership flourishes into something wonderful, the specter of the outside world threatens to destroy it all. Since University of Laughs is essentially a movie about two guys in a room talking, the success of the film hangs heavily on the performances of its leads, and thankfully, they both deliver in spades. The film boasts a wonderful turn from Yakusho Koji, who is more than worthy of the accolades thrown his way for this film. Smartly, his character is neither written nor performed as a fool, as one might expect in most films in which artists battle against authority figures. Similarly, Sakisaka is not a one-note bad guy, but instead a complicated, yet inherently good human being. He comes to respect and even like Tsubaki, but must battle against his own loyalties and personal hang-ups to successfully maintain this wholly unexpected friendship. Of course, the underlying social issues that are central to this movie cannot be ignored, nor should they be. The film seems eerily timely, as the idea of a government stamping out freedom of expression in the name of wartime concerns will register with many viewers across the globe. This social commentary informs the emotional journey that happens right underneath our noses. The burgeoning friendship between Sakisaka and Tsubaki climaxes in the film's poignant final scene. Here the reality of war, which until then had only been something that existed outside the walls of their meetings, hits frighteningly close to home. Although most audiences don't go to see a comedy to be moved, University of Laughs works as a great exception to this rule. To borrow the censor's terminology: University of Laughs is approved, no edits necessary. By Calvin McMillin - LoveHKFilm.com |
Customer Review of "University of Laughs (DVD) (Standard Edition) (English Subtitled) (Japan Version)"
Average Customer Rating for All Editions of this Product: (6)
See all my reviews
February 12, 2006
A funny, moving and profound movie will be one of
my very favorite films. The virtuosity of Yakusho Koji's acting always impresses me. He was fantastic in this movie. Inagaki Goro also gave a very capable performance. Try not to miss this movie. |
See all my reviews
February 7, 2006
This customer review refers to University of Laughs (DVD) (Special Edition) (English Subtitled) (Japan Version)
It's hilarious and profound. A great film.
Both Yakusho Koji (one of my favorite) and Inagaki Goro are excellent. |
July 30, 2005
This is the first time I've bought an English subtitled Region 2 DVD and I chose this movie because it has been nominated before and I expected it to be good, plus I'm a fan of Goro. It is an extremely well made movie. I had so much fun watching it even thought the entire movie is two persons stuck in a room. The message is very well made and the ending is very touching. Now I wished I had bought the Special Edition instead with other extras, but then I don't understand Japanese. Thank goodness these good movies now have English subtitles. Keep up the good work, Yesasia. Hopefully in future, these movies are less expensive and therefore could reach more people. |
July 1, 2005
This customer review refers to University of Laughs (DVD) (Special Edition) (English Subtitled) (Japan Version)
Watched this on the plane and saw it repeatedly. I did think it was based on a play since this is a diaglog intensive piece. Glad to hear the English translation is accurate. One of the funniest movie I have seen this year. Make DVD region One so I can enjoy it at home. This gets my stamp of "Approve". |
See all my reviews
June 7, 2005
This customer review refers to University of Laughs (DVD) (Special Edition) (English Subtitled) (Japan Version)
'Warai No Daigaku' is not just a pure comedy film. It is much more than that. From the begining the building up of the tension and conflicts that's between a strict censor (Yakusho Koji) and a passionate script writer (Inagaki Goro), and it is so interesting to see how their relationship has changed as the film move on. The story is funny and touching and it brings me laughs and tears at the same time. It is definitely a must-see-comedy and I'm sure you'll have a great time. Also, the Bonus DVD is fabulous. It'll make you love the film even more. |
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