Special - Japan Cuts Film Festival 2024

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Hello everyone,

 

Once again this year, the Heroic Purgatory podcast is covering the Japan Cuts 2024 film festival which took place between July 10 and 21. As usual, the podcast will present John's and Jason's favorite films of the festival. Additionally, this page will include short written reviews by John of the Japan Cuts movies he managed to see.

Enjoy the discussion!

Podcast


Reviews

This page will be updated as reviews are added. 

Kyrie

Runtime: 178 min
Director: Shinji Iwai
Starring: AiNA THE END, Hokuto Matsumura, Haru Kuroki, Suzu Hirose.

Based on Iwai's own novel, the film follows the titular character Kyrie, a young woman who can only speak in song, on a journey of remembrance and self-discovery as the character explores her past, present, and future. Throughout the film, Kyrie becomes a more confident and recognizable street performer, while Iwai shows us glimpses of her past and slowly peels away at the origins of her trauma. 

In Kyrie, Iwai delivers a slow meditative drama that is both intangible and awe-inspiring. While a lot of the film's appeal relies on the audience enjoying AiNA The End's musical talents, there's an undeniable appreciation that comes from watching a master of the craft carefully weave the tapestry of Kyrie's life. The non-linear narrative can be hard to follow at times (certainly not helped by the star playing two roles), but in a sense, that is part of the appeal -- getting lost in the film's oscillating rhythm and meandering camera work. The acting is enthralling, a factor enhanced by the actors' youthful exuberance. Kyrie will not be everybody's cup of tea, as is usual for Iwai films. In fact, it may even be an experience that depends on a person's mood at a given time. But when the mood strikes, it is exceedingly rewarding. 

Bottle George

Runtime: 13 min
Director: Daisuke “Dice” Tsutsumi

A little girl is trapped in an abusive household with no one but a grumpy cat and a strange bottle creature -- Bottle George -- to keep her company. While the girl's father sinks deeper into the catacombs of alcoholism, Bottle George grows more clearly into his personality. 

Bottle George is a beautifully animated stop-motion short that delivers a big message in a small package. It addresses the issues of addiction in a deceptively simple yet powerful way -- through the eyes of a suffering little girl who takes comfort in her fantasies. The stop motion is immaculate, with rich backgrounds and impressive character design. The film ends on a positive note, with the father realizing the damage he's done, reminding everyone in the audience that it's never too late to make change for the better. 

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