Depend on the movie - Essay Example

Shall We Dance? Informational century continues to develop rapidly. Some people say that today life is so much saturated with events and progress that, according to time measures, in the past it has taken about three lives to experience what we are having currently. Science, culture, educational system, politics and economy keep on developing. Whole society shows significant changes, becoming more democratic, liberal and uninhibited in its views. However, there are still some stereotypes and prejudices, which frequently compel people to feel embarrassment and shame for themselves, not because they consider some issues inappropriate but only because of the surrounding people’s judgments.

The idea of human inner fear to look differently and stand out against a background is shown in the Japanese movie “Shall We Dance?” by Masayuki Suo. This film tells a story about happily married accountant, who starts to feel himself discontent with his current life. Everyday for Shohei Sugiyama seems to be a little piece of routine, which he knows by heart. Getting tired of insipid life, he enrolls in a dance school. Mr. Sugiyama’s doubts and embarrassments of his new liking can be seen in episode, when he reads an article about waltz stealthily from his family.

The prejudice of being unconceivable for others compels him to keep in a secret his new hobby. It seems to Shohei that it is abnormal to go for dancing, when you are a grown-up and so serious person as he is. However, interest and desire to change something in his life conquers all inconveniencies. From the first minutes of watching this movie you can conclude that Shohei is rather successful person, having nice work position, family, good relationships with wife. But the thing is that Mr. Sugiyama faces the situation, when his days turn into casualty without any changes and suddenly the man begins to feel depression and aggravation.

Such situations are considered to be very common in real life that is why the mentioned movie is quite educational and topical issue for everyone. In the beginning, when Shohei notices instructor Mai Kishikawa in the window and goes to the dance school, the viewers may consider that his decision is based on his attraction to the young girl. But later on we can see that the real reason of this action is Shohei’s exceptional love of dancing. He enjoys himself and feels proud, noticing his conspicuous achievements.

If during the first training Shohei has rather skeptical attitude to it, after several weeks he starts to be fond of dancing, realizing what he really wants. Mr. Sugiyama becomes a happy person to the great surprise of his wife, who doubts his fidelity. That is another prejudice that can be observed in the stated movie. The first thing that comes in people’s minds when they see some changes in person’s behavior is that he or she is having an affair, meanwhile the only thing that Mr. Sugiyama needs is just a hobby that can embellish his already established lifestyle.

Dancing becomes a real chance for a man to bring some rest to his soul and mind. At last Shohei gets interested in something that provides him with strength and stimulus to feel happiness. The main point of Shohei’s story is that every person should have some kind of relief and outlet for his individuality. This will not only help to avoid pressure and boredom of routine deeds and obligations, but also diversify life, bringing entertainment, joy and pleasure. Peculiar paradox happens when in the same dance school Mr.

Sugiyama meets his coworker, who has been having a real passion for dancing during last five years, but skillfully managing to hide it from collective. The fact that two men, working together, have the same hobby and problem to reveal it, tells about popularity of such phenomenon. Tomio Aoki keeps his dancing skills in a strict confidence, being afraid that surrounding people will laugh at him, if they find out. He predicts people’s misunderstanding and expects general condemnations. Such behavior of a grown-up person alludes to social unacceptance of those people, who distinguish from others and have to conceal their differences.

All this shows that society’s opinion plays a big role in people’s ways of life, consequences of which can be not always positive. Sometimes it is better to accept a person as he is with all his interests and ideas, avoiding any judgments. Every representative of society is personality, who has a right of self-expression. In this respect, we should display esteem to each other’s desires and views, eluding mockeries, offences and conflicts. However, it is important to mention that occasionally cultural notions and principles affect human behavior dramatically, giving birth to reservedness and pain.

Hence, in the beginning of the movie there is said that in Japan any public display of affection is inappropriate as much as dancing with someone who is not your spouse. Although, “Shall We Dance?” is extraordinary film that goes beyond traditional boundaries and principles, proving that dancing with other people is not a felony or betrayal, but the secret of real pleasure. Culture should enrich person instead of putting frequently irrelevant restrictions on something that makes him feel genuine happiness and freedom.

References Tokuma, Y. (Producer), & Suo, M. (Director). (1996). Shall we dance? [Motion picture]. Japan: Daiei Studios.