Kappa (1986): cast, story & where to watch
1986 · Film
Released in 1986, Kappa is a comedy, drama, animation and documentary film directed by Norman Yonemoto, running about 12 minutes.
What it’s about. Deconstructing the myth of Oedipus within the framework of an ancient Japanese folk story, the Yonemotos craft a highly charged discourse of loss and desire. Quoting from Bunuel, Freud, pop media and art, they place the symbology of Western psychosexual analytical theory into a cross-cultural context, juxtaposing the Oedipal and Kappa myths in a delirious collusion of form and content. The Kappa, a malevolent Japanese water imp, is played with eerie intensity by artist Mike Kelley; actress Mary Woronov plays Jocasta as a vamp from a Hollywood exploitation film. Steeped in perversions and violent longings, both the Kappa and Oedipus legends are presented in highly stylized, purposefully "degraded" forms, reflecting their media-exploitative cultural contexts. In this ironic yet oddly poignant essay of psychosexual compulsion and catharsis, the Yonemotos demonstrate that even in debased forms, cultural archetypes hold the power to move and manipulate.
Who’s in it. Kappa stars Mike Kelley as The Kappa, Mary Woronov as Jocasta, Ed Ruscha and Keye Luke as Narrator (voice).
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Kappa page.
If you liked it. Fans of Kappa tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Kappa (1986)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Kappa change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Who stars in Kappa?
- Kappa stars Mike Kelley, Mary Woronov, Ed Ruscha and Keye Luke.
- When was Kappa released?
- Kappa was released in 1986, with a runtime of about 12 minutes.