The Face of Another (1966)

 Hiroshi Teshigahara's "The Face of Another"


Although it was a critical and commercial failure outside of its release, the 1966 film "The Face of Another" still manages to be a critical link the chain of Hiroshi Teshigahara's filmography. Its gothic-noir ambiance is a unique tone for a Japanese production, making it a singularly one-of-a-kind film. 

The film centers on Mr. Okuyama - an engineer whose face was disfigured by an explosion in an industrial accident. He only wears bandages on his face to cover his burns. That is until he becomes the test subject for a prosthetic mask resembling a real human face. He uses this opportunity in a new identity to seduce his wife.

For me, the entire enjoyment of the film rests on its gothic tone and abstract visuals. Teshigahara and his unique directing style creates some engaging images that titillates the imagination. One can turn the sound off and manage to be enraptured by its qualities.

However, for me, the film suffers from an emptiness to its thematic underpinnings. Some of the philosophy and Promethean allusions create a seemingly foundational level of what the film is really about. However, I feel as though some of those musings are so anchored to the concepts of surface level beauty and personas that it doesn't allow for more nuanced and deeper questions. Some of the dialogue sounds like deep, existential ponderings - yet doesn't quite have much to say or question about anything.

Although there were these lacks in the thematic foundation, the film is still interesting and captivating enough to be somewhat enjoyable. "The Face of Another" for this reason has turned into kind-of a cult classic. For this reason, it is ultimately noteworthy.


 

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