The movie Coup d'Etat follows the life of Ikki Kita, a nationalist and intellectual figure in the early 20th century Japan. The movie begins with Kita's early years as a student, his passion for politics, and his ideas about nationalistic revivalism.
As Kita's influence grew, he became a political commentator and wrote several books that spread his ideas about Japanese nationalism. He believed that Japan was destined to become a world power and needed to take action to achieve that goal. Kita's ideas made him a popular figure among the military and he soon began working closely with the commanders.
The movie then moves on to the build-up of the attempted coup, providing a detailed account of the conspirators' plan. Kita had hoped that the coup would help bring about a more radical transformation of Japanese society and government.
Ultimately, however, the coup failed, and Kita was arrested and executed for his involvement in the plot. The movie ends by reflecting on the incendiary influence of nationalist rhetoric and the dangers of extremism in any society.
The film's narrative is visually stunning, set against the backdrop of pre-war Japan. The director expertly captures the drama and tension of Kita's life and the events leading to the failed coup. The film overall provides fascinating insight into the life and legacy of an enigmatic and controversial figure in Japanese history.
