ONIBABA (1964) - At first I was not sure if this was horror film, or rather a period drama of medieval Japan and its constant warring nature. The genre concern aside, this felt more to me a story of humanity pushed to the brink and the destruction of ourselves as fear for survival take over and haunt whatever decency we have left inside. There are long stretches of the grass rustling which coupled with the haunting score make this a thriller/horror and if the grass could talk the stories it could share! I found the Old Hag/protagonist/Kishi's mother to actually be likeable and sympathetic, even if she was misguided. The women characters are strong, and while there is perhaps an unnecessary amount of nudity (I don't necessarily think so because it seemed like it was very hot and it serves as a way to show that they were being stripped of their humanity), it never seemed to be from the male gaze perspective. The Old Hag is trying to survive and hold onto the little in life she has left, the life may be depraved and it may be evil on several levels, but is it any more evil or violent than what the country and elites have done to her? It is a wonderful piece of film making and I know I still don't quite understand much of what I've seen, but it was a wonderful ride, if a bit frightening.