Backdrop preview Cabaret backdrop
Cabaret

Cabaret (1986)

Apr 26, 1986 1h 44m Drama Crime Music

A young jazz musician's desire to advance in his career runs afoul of organized crime in this thriller from Haruki Kadokawa. After a saxophonist starts playing at a particular nightspot, a thug from the Yakuza adopts him as a special friend for no greater reason than he plays one of his favorite songs well. As the dangerous life of the gangster intertwines with that of the musician, it brings harm to the musician's girlfriend, who is raped. This changes the young saxophonist's attitude about his patron, but his Yakuza "friend" is still too embroiled in his own problems to worry about anything else.

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Directed by Haruki Kadokawa

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Haruki Kadokawa
Producer
  • Sunao Sakagami
  • Haruki Kadokawa

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, Cabaret examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Haruki Kadokawa brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1986, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Cabaret took approximately 8 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 104 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 142 minutes long.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
  • The screenplay went through 7 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.

Historical Context

  • In 1986, when this film was released:
  • Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
  • The Cold War was entering its final phase.
  • Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: April 26, 1986
  • Runtime: 1h 44m

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