Sham review – Takashi Miike revisits infamous 'murder teacher' trial in unflinching courtroom drama

Takashi Miike's courtroom drama Sham is an unflinching examination of a sensational 2003 trial in Japan that shook public opinion. The film, based on the book Fabrication: The Truth About the "Murder Teacher" in Fukuoka by Masumi Fukuda, delves into the allegations against primary school teacher Seiichi Yabushita, who was accused of racially abusing and physically assaulting a pupil.

Miike presents both sides of the story, offering a Rashomon-style portrayal of events. The film initially portrays the boy's mother, Mrs Himuro, as the true victim, with her husband's behavior depicted as sinister. However, in subsequent scenes, it becomes clear that this narrative is flawed and ultimately misinformed. By presenting the teacher's account, Miike reveals a very different reality – one of innocence and kindness.

The trouble at hand was triggered by Yabushita's forced apology to parents following a misunderstanding, with his remarks mistakenly interpreted as racism. This misguided attempt to placate the situation led to serious consequences, but it is now clear that his actions were not motivated by malice.

Miike's direction does not shy away from controversy and instead amplifies it through striking imagery and unsettling soundscapes. The teacher's sinister portrayal serves as a commentary on societal pressures and false accusations, while Mrs Himuro's character becomes eerily reminiscent of J-horror villains. Her pale face and black hair evoke the chilling presence of Asami in Miike's classic film Audition.

Throughout the film, themes of bullying, slander, and ambiguity are interwoven to create a tense atmosphere that hints at deeper connections between this case and other works, such as Hirokazu Kore-eda's Monster. Despite its unflinching portrayal of the events, Sham does not leave room for indecision – Miike firmly presents his version of truth.

I'm like totally fascinated by this courtroom drama thingy ... Takashi Miike is like a master of weaving complex stories, you know? I mean, this film about Seiichi Yabushita's trial in Japan feels so familiar, like something straight outta an old school detective movie . The way it flips the script on who's right and wrong – it's like, you're not sure what to believe anymore . Reminds me of when I watched that one J-horror film, Audition, with Asami's creepy presence still giving me chills... anyway, this Sham film is like, totally thought-provoking, especially with its themes of bullying and false accusations . I think it's really interesting how Miike presents his own version of truth, even if it means going against societal expectations .

The way Miike weaves together these seemingly disparate threads of narrative is absolutely mind-blowing . The way he slowly peels away at the layers of deceit and miscommunication that surround Yabushita's case is masterful, leaving the audience to question everything they thought they knew about the situation. It's like watching a slow-motion train wreck - you know it's going to end in tragedy, but you can't look away . The film's use of imagery and sound design adds an extra layer of tension, making you feel like you're walking on eggshells alongside Yabushita as he navigates the treacherous landscape of public opinion. One thing that really resonated with me is how the film highlights the dangers of false accusations and the devastating consequences they can have on people's lives - it's a powerful commentary on our society's tendency to rush to judgment .

just saw sham by takashi miike and i gotta say, it's like, super thought-provoking . how can one person's apology be twisted to seem racist tho? anyway, the way miike weaves together the story is wild . makes you question everything . i mean, who's really at fault here? and omg, that scene where yabushita's character is all innocent and kind is like, totally mind-blowing . need to watch it again for more context [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1681118/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1681118/)

omg did u watch sham? it's so intense u feel like u r right in the courtroom with takashi miike i love how he presents both sides of the story, it's like a real-life rashomon effect but what really gets me is how he makes u question everything & not take sides...it's like, what if i was that teacher? would i have done the same thing? or maybe even worse? shams cinematography is also on point it gives u this eerie vibe & makes u feel all uneasy inside

I gotta say, this film 'Sham' is really making me think about how easily things can go down in one direction and then be completely turned around . Takashi Miike's handling of the story is super effective, he's not afraid to get into all the gray areas and show both sides of the argument . The way he uses visuals and sound effects really amplifies the tension and makes you feel like you're right there in the courtroom with the characters .

It's also interesting how the film flips the script on the initial narrative, revealing that maybe not everything is as it seems . I mean, Miike does an awesome job of presenting the teacher's side of things, which is a refreshing change from just seeing one perspective all the time .

One thing that really stood out to me was how the film highlights the dangers of false accusations and bullying . It's like, we need to be more careful about jumping to conclusions and not assuming people are guilty or racist based on one misinterpreted comment .

Anyway, I think 'Sham' is definitely a thought-provoking film that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll .

I'm low-key obsessed with this new movie by Takashi Miike . The way he tackles sensitive topics like racism and false accusations is so thought-provoking #ShamMovie #TakashiMiike. I mean, I was on the edge of my seat when I realized that Seiichi Yabushita's actions weren't as sinister as everyone thought . It's like, we need to be more careful not to jump to conclusions and assume the worst about people. And can we talk about how chilling it is when Miike uses soundscapes to create an eerie atmosphere? The way he weaves together themes of bullying and slander is so masterful #ShamAnalysis #JHorrorVibes. Overall, I'm totally Team Yabushita and this movie has me thinking about the importance of empathy and understanding in our society

I gotta say, Takashi Miike's direction in this courtroom drama is unsettling yet fascinating! He really got under the skin of the situation, especially how he highlights the societal pressure and how false accusations can go so wrong . The way he weaves together themes of bullying, slander, and ambiguity creates this super tense atmosphere that's hard to look away from . I love how he subverts expectations with the teacher's sinister portrayal - it's like, yeah, Yabushita might've been misunderstood . And can we talk about the cinematography? The soundscapes are so on point! It's like, you're right there in that courtroom, feeling all the emotions . Overall, Sham is a thought-provoking film that'll leave you questioning what's really going on

I love how Takashi Miike is bringing attention to this crazy 2003 trial in Japan! The way he weaves together both sides of the story, showing us that everything's not always as it seems, is just masterful . And I gotta say, the atmosphere he creates in the film is super tense and unsettling - like you're right there with Mrs Himuro, feeling all the anxiety and fear . It's like Miike is saying, we should be careful what we believe, 'cause sometimes the truth can be really complicated . And I love how he uses imagery to make a point, it's like his own version of "Rashomon" - but instead of just telling one side, he shows us multiple sides and makes us think for ourselves .

I don't usually comment but I think what really got me about this film is how it highlights the dangers of mob mentality . The way everyone jumped to conclusions and accused Yabushita without knowing all the facts is just chilling. It's like, one bad remark from someone and suddenly everyone's outraged . And Miike portrays that perfectly, with Mrs Himuro's character being this perfect example of how quickly things can spiral out of control . I don't think it's a great look for our society, but at the same time, I love how the film doesn't shy away from showing us just how messed up it is . And that Rashomon-style storytelling? Genius

omg I'm still trying to process what happened in this trial... like how can one misunderstanding lead to someone being accused of racism? and it's wild that Miike showed both sides of the story - I was really on the edge of my seat, wondering if Yabushita was actually guilty or not. his direction is insane, by the way! the soundscapes are so unsettling, like they're drawing you into the world of the film. but what's even more interesting to me is how it comments on societal pressures and false accusations... I mean, can we really judge someone without all the facts?

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." - Oscar Wilde The way this film flips the script on societal expectations and false accusations is really unsettling, it makes you question everything!

just watched sham and i'm still thinking about it miike's direction is insane, like he's not afraid to get uncomfortable. the way he flips between perspectives makes you question everything. also, the imagery in this film is haunting ️ those soundscapes are giving me chills. what really stood out to me was how this film highlights the danger of false accusations and societal pressure. it's like, we need to be more careful about how we perceive others before making judgments. 5/5 would watch again

I just watched Sham and I'm still reeling from it ! Takashi Miike is a genius when it comes to making you question everything. The way he flips the script on Mrs Himuro's character, showing how she might be just as sinister as Yabushita... mind blown . And that sound design? Chilling. I feel like Sham is more than just a courtroom drama, it's an exploration of societal pressures and how they can lead to false accusations . I love how Miike doesn't shy away from controversy, instead amplifying it with striking imagery. It's like he's saying we need to be more careful about what we accuse others of . Overall, Sham is a masterclass in filmmaking and I'm obsessed .

I think what really struck me about Sham is how it highlights the importance of looking beyond surface-level appearances . We often get caught up in making judgments based on initial impressions or being swayed by sensational media, but this film shows us that's not always the whole story. Miike masterfully weaves together multiple perspectives to create a complex tapestry of truth and misperception. It's a powerful reminder that empathy and understanding can only be achieved when we take the time to really listen to and understand different viewpoints

I'm totally torn about this film ... I mean, on one hand, I love how Takashi Miike is unafraid to tackle a sensitive topic like racial abuse and bring attention to the complexities of the situation. But at the same time, I think he can be kinda harsh on the victim, Mrs Himuro ... like, I get that she was misled, but does he have to make her out to be this super villain? And don't even get me started on how much I love the eerie vibe of it all - it's super unsettling, but in a good way, right? But then again, maybe Miike is just trying to show how easily false accusations can snowball out of control... or am I being too harsh?

I'm really loving this film so far! The way it keeps you guessing and questioning what's real is totally mind-blowing. I mean, who knew that a simple apology could lead to all these drama and accusations? It's like, you gotta feel for the teacher, Seiichi Yabushita - he seems like such a nice guy. And Miike does an amazing job of showing how one wrong move can have such big consequences. The whole thing is just so... messed up . I'm definitely rooting for the truth to come out now!

I'm telling you, this film is like a perfect example of how our society can get totally messed up when it comes to these kinds of cases . I mean, think about it - a guy gets accused of something he didn't do just because some parents misinterpreted what he said and now the whole school is freaking out . And then they start spreading rumors like wildfire, ruining this poor teacher's rep... it's just wild how easily things can spiral outta control .

And have you noticed how the film portrays Mrs Himuro? She's always so... perfect, but also kinda creepy . Like, I get that she's trying to protect her son or whatever, but come on - she's got some serious issues . It's like Miike is saying that we can't just blindly believe what people tell us, especially when it comes to sensitive topics... makes you think, right?

I'm literally blown away by Takashi Miike's direction in Sham! He really brings out the complexity of this story and doesn't shy away from making us question everything. The way he weaves together themes of bullying, slander, and ambiguity is just masterful . And can we talk about how great Seiichi Yabushita's portrayal is? He's so convincing as an innocent man fighting against false accusations . I love how Miike presents multiple perspectives without taking sides, it's like you're right there in the courtroom with him . The imagery and soundscapes are just eerie and unsettling . Overall, Sham is a thought-provoking film that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish .