Furochoju (2006) User Reviews

A filmmaker to follow

[jsrenfrance · 9/10 · 14 April 2007]

Director Atsushi Ogata manages to investigate the declining status of the elderly in contemporary Japan...by way of a charming, artful comedy! Not an easy feat. And not only is Eternally Yours funny, but it is surprisingly well shot. This guy's DP must be somebody in Japan. The subtitling in the film is flawless, you'd think there was an English script as well. Very few complaints here, except perhaps that I wish it were a feature-length film. Has Ogata done any? When we saw it at Lincoln Center's New Directors/New Films, the audience was in stitches by the second minute. Eternally Yours is a winning film by a director to watch. One of the most entertaining shorts I can recall.

Beautifully crafted and subtly humorous short film

[mwilkinson-7 · 10/10 · 4 May 2007]

This gem of a short film has it all: great acting, subtle humor, excellent craftsmanship. There are only two actors, but they are clearly experienced professionals. Their performances are understated but very witty. Apparently the plot was inspired by real-life events in Japan in which thieves took advantage of senior citizens. However, Mr. Ogata has pulled off some trickery of his own by introducing a poignant and satisfying twist to the story. This short film would be perfect for IFC or the Sundance channel. Let us hope this director will soon try his hand at a full-length feature film. I highly recommend this very promising effort.

Humor in the demographic time bomb

[kingston-14 · 10/10 · 14 May 2007]

This is a superb film about the anxieties of aging in Japan that probes assumptions about safety, security and human relations. Very skillfully and with subtle irony and unexpected twists, Ogata holds a mirror up to society in this very effective short about an old woman living alone in what is supposed to be a safe place where trust and reciprocity are the glue of community. The film is very funny and the actor and actress are perfect in their roles and deliver their lines and gestures with classic understatement. The script is well done, the filming is top notch and one can only hope this witty film will dispel some common stereotypes. There is gobs of material here and the director demonstrates that he has the incisive eye for social satire at its best. He whets one's appetite for a feature length version. I saw this film in Tokyo and the audience was spellbound. Ogata could become the Woody Allen of Japanese cinema if he can catch the right breaks and get the backing he deserves. He looks headed for acclaim on the festival circuit and more.