Tokyo!

TOKYO!

(Michel Gondry, Leos Carax, Bong Joon Ho – 2008)

This isn't actually a Japanese film. This is a 3 segments film directed by 3 directors from French and South Korea. Shot in, and about Tokyo.

PLOT:

1.      Young couple from the countryside arrived in the capitol with big dreams. Bumped with what seemed to be short-term issues, the couple struggles with all they can to survive. Warm beddings, communication in their relationship and the support they give and take to/from each other are at stake when one of them starting to doubt the characterthey should be in.(Interior Design)

2.      A grotesque creature suddenly appeared from the gutter in a human-like shape. He disturbed the peace and order with his malicious acts while roaming the city. The media came and televised it as the creature made a reenactment of the Godzilla vibe, creating a mass disruption. (Merde)

3.      As his only link to the outside world, one “hikikomori” used his telephone to order daily necessities, which will be delivered by random people he need not to interact with. Until a lovely pizza delivery woman came along with an earthquake, the city shut-in decided to make a dramatic change.(Shaking Tokyo)

NOTES:

Tokyo (or Japan in general) successfully captivates many eyes with its charm; the bright lights, the technology, the blend of modern and traditional, and the absurd fantasies.

Me included, mostly for the last part.

This movie shows an old and relatively well-known part of the nation, but with bent standpoint and symbolism from the “outsider”. How a fast-paced society tend to give more pressure and questions to people’s role in their lives, how the media be liable for messy headlines and acting as the superior feeder of the social order, and “how just-add-water” becoming a generation’s life motto; are the messages I get from the three directors.

Those messages are statements, of modernism, of progress and its regressive effects, and of the poetic reality. Some heavy shit, huh.

I’m not familiar with Leos Carax’s works, but Gondry’s and Bong’s signature are splattered all over their titles. Simple dialogs with maximum set details, superb acting and great themes. Yes, that includes Yu Aoi.

You know that draggy storytelling Japanese movie had? It’s there. It’s great.