United Red Army

United Red Army (2007) is a fascinating look at the radical politics of Japan's fringe left groups in the 60s and 70s represented by the United Red Army. In Oliver Assayas' excellent Carlos, some of the Japanese URA members make an appearance. I was somewhat unaware of the radical violence by the Japanese radicals. It seems that some of the escapees began making news as they were captured or returned to Japan in the 2000s. Several of the students were from universities I work or have worked at (Meiji University, Chuo University, etc.) and not to mention, areas I know well, like Ochanomizu and Shinjuku. It is a harrowing look at radicals eating their own--how many countless deaths in the name of self-criticism--it's hard to believe that so many went along with the petty brutalities, but that is often the case with true believers. The length and amount of time spent on the self-criticism overload in the mountains is almost fatiguing. However, a fascinating look at the radical politics of the turbulent late 60s and early 70s.