The film depicts carnivalesque atmosphere summed up by the cry "Ei ja nai ka" ("Why not?") in Japan in 1867 and 1868 in the days leading to the Meiji Restoration. It examines the effects of the political and social upheaval of the time, and culminates in a revelrous march on the Tokyo Imperial Palace, which turns into a massacre. Characteristically, Imamura focuses not on the leaders of the country, but on characters in the lower classes and on the fringes of society.
Why Not? (1981) streaming availability varies by region. Check Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and other major platforms. It may also be available for digital rental or purchase on Amazon, Apple TV, or Vudu.
What is Why Not? about?
The film depicts carnivalesque atmosphere summed up by the cry "Ei ja nai ka" ("Why not?") in Japan in 1867 and 1868 in the days leading to the Meiji Restoration. It examines the effects of the political and social upheaval of the time, and culminates in a revelrous march on the...
Who directed Why Not??
Why Not? (1981) was directed by Shōhei Imamura. The film is a Drama production with a runtime of 2h 31m, rated 6.1/10.
