1. Kotoko
Shinya Tsukamoto’s Kotoko tells the story of a single mother, Kotoko (Cocco), who suffers from unconstrained hallucinations and paranoia. Her violent, unstable behaviour makes her unfit to take care of her child and has it taken away from her. The only respite she finds from her illusions is when she sings. Her song is overheard by a novelist Tanaka who falls in love with Kotoko. They start a relationship, hovering in compulsive and obsessive nature. The intense performance of Cocco and great cinematography makes ‘Kotoko’ an actual achievement to the creators.
2. Mental
Mental is a 2008 released feature-length documentary directed by Kazuhiro Soda. The story takes place in a mental health clinic. The film’s hero is a psychiatrist Dr. Masatomo Yamamoto who dedicates his life to serving the mentally ill of his community. The film observes the complex world of mentally ill people suffering from an acute existential crisis. The film breaks a significant taboo against discussing psychiatric disorders in Japanese society.
3. A Page Of Madness
A Page of Madness is a 1926 experimental movie directed by Teinosuke Kinusaga. The main character is a janitor who works at an insane asylum with hopes of freeing his imprisoned wife. The bold visual style with rhythmic intercutting builds an atmosphere of astonishing intensity. The fine line between reality and insanity blurs eventually due to what is happening in the janitor’s state of mind. A Page of Madness is considered a surrealist masterpiece of the silent era.
4. Welcome To The Quiet Room
Welcome to the Quiet Room is a 2007 released offbeat Japanese comedy-drama directed by Suzuki Matsuo. The film depicts the story of Sakura Asuka, who wakes up in a mental hospital after heavy alcohol use and drug overdose. The only thing she wants is to prove that she is sane and to escape from the hospital to the real world. Under these circumstances, she befriends Miki, a pianist who suffers from an eating disorder. After seeing a glimpse of the tragedies of her fellow inmates, Sakura gradually opens up her repressed past. The film is an entertaining one, but also a tear-jerker. The flawless performance of Yuki Utada in the role of Sakura deserves a word of praise.
5. Horrors Of Malformed Men
Horrors of Malformed Men is a 1969 released Japanese horror film. Directed by Teruo Ishii, the film follows the story of Hirosuke, a medical student who has no recollection of his past, escapes from an asylum. He takes the identity of Genzaburo Komodo, who appears to be his counterpart, after being framed for murder. He gets lured to a remote island and is confronted by a mad scientist and his malformed men, and discovers the awful truth behind his own identity. A monstrous cycle of paranoia and horror while fusing mystery, the film presents a nightmarish tale with haunting performances to become one of the classic horror-fantasy fictional films in Japan.
6. Monsters Club
Toshiaki Toyoda’s ‘Monsters Club’ tells the story of a distorted lonely man Ryoichi Kakiuchi, played by Eita, who lives in a secluded mountainous area. After the loss of his family, Ryoichi is fueled with rage that slowly builds into violence. He makes and sends bombs to corrupt officials and CEOs to break the Japanese social system. One night, his older brother’s spirit, who had committed suicide, appears before him. The confrontation leads to Ryoichi learning the truth about his family and slowly his descent to insanity. The stellar performance of Eita and the cold world created by Toyoda makes the film lyrical and beautiful in its way, ‘Monsters Club’ offers a profound look at mental health.
7. My SO Has Got Depression
My SO Has Got Depression is a 2011 released Japanese movie with Aoi Miyazaki and Sakai Masato in the lead, in the role of a married couple. Mikio suffers from depression, and he wants to commit suicide. His supportive wife Haruko forces him to quit his job and go for therapy. The film is an eye-opener and discusses depression and desolation.
8. The Fallen Angel
The Fallen Angel, directed by Genjiro Arato, is a 2010 released psychological drama starring Tomo Ikuta in the lead. The protagonist Yozo Oba has always felt alienated from others. To hide his alienation, he has practiced hiding his feelings to get along with others. As he grows up, he finds solace through alcohol and drugs. Tomo Ikuta nailed the role of Yozo Oba portraying a life of bleak existence, and it felt realistic and sad.
9. Dogura Magura
1988 released Dogura Magura is a Japanese murder mystery film directed by Toshio Matsumoto. The film follows a man confined to an asylum after killing his bride on his marriage and losing his sanity. Two doctors relate his condition with his heredity. The plot twists get the viewers hooked to the very end of the movie.
10. Me & 23 Slaves
Me & 23 Slaves is a psychological thriller drama starring Hongo Kanata and Akimoto Sayaka in the central role. Eia Arakawa and Yuuga Oota get drawn to a survival game in which they wear a particular device called “SCM”, which is used to turn other players into their slaves. As the game gets gripping and dark, Yuuta gradually descends into insanity.
