Caterpillar (2010)

AKA: Kyatapira
Directed by: Koji Wakamatsu
Starring: Shinobu Terajima (Shigeko), Keigo Kasuya (Kurokawa)
Country: Japan; Effed Up Asian Films
Language: Japanese; Effed Up Japanese Cinema
Runtime: 01:27:00
Genres: Scars-Body Modification, Military

Plot – Spoilers:
In WW-II Japan, Kurokawa went off to fight a war, something his wife Shigeko never really approved of. Now he’s back, missing four limbs that he exchanged for three medals. He’s also gone deaf and can barely grunt out his needs. His sister and father are unsure what to do with him but feel blessed that they have Shigeko to palm him off to.

Shigeko is mostly devoted and feels compelled to fulfil what she’s been taught are her wifely duties. So, soon after his return, when Kurokawa writhes around trying to mouth that he wants to pee, Shigeko shares in the moment by mimicking his struggling expressions without realizing how absurd she looks too. Kurokawa then proceeds to chomp on the belt of her pants signaling that he’d like to fuck her. Apparently his dick is still working. He’s also developed a voracious appetite for food, and as winter turns to spring, he demands even more, eating into her share of their sparse meal.

For a while, the respect of the locals for her devotion and Kurokawa’s stature as a veteran hero keeps Shigeko enthused, dedicated to the burden at home. She wants to be proud of him, to serve him and to believe he is a hero, but her real-life experiences with him behind closed doors are starting to shake her spirit. And the more contemptuous and frustrated she gets, the lesser Kurokawa, who’s carrying the guilt of his warcrimes, feels like a human.

Caterpillar is based on an Edogawa Ranpo short-story. But this isn’t as brutal as the one featured in the Rampo Noir anthology. This is more a lament on the propaganda of the pride to be had in fighting a war that cloaks the personal tragedies of millions under the guise of honor and valor.