Cultural transmission through imagery, a movie as a vehicle. "Higan no futari" transports one into a Japan, independent from the era its central theme is from all times and also happens everywhere in the world we are living in.
Sober acting, the eyes do the talking, and so does silence as the importance of unwritten space surrounding a kanji in calligraphy. A delicate balance from the first images onwards captures one, intrigued by the truth to come, grasping the unspoken drop by drop, often more important than what is actually said, but people can't always express deep feelings in words, and that is where art enters into the picture.
Handheld filming expressing the lead character's feelings, a bit shaky sometimes, uncertain what life is about, sound cut out because it wouldn't add meaning, two stories unfold and mingle in an artistic and philosophical way digging deeper, touching your bare bones.
A melon as a gift is loaded with meaning and "higan" could be reaching the other shore whilst growing towards perfection - Buddhist dharma, or returning when realizing something when crossing the river before completely dying.
"Higan no futari" is back to the basics, for some life is not a complex modern technological situation, but surviving and coping with childhood trauma, and artistic expressions have proven they can be a healthy remedy.
So, I feel relieved and grateful to have seen such a true artistic expression, directed by Yusuke Kitaguchi, great performances on the acting level, filming and producing, one gets offered a point of inflection in these hectic times.
Highly recommended, nevertheless please spare the children, they are the future, take care.
Sober acting, the eyes do the talking, and so does silence as the importance of unwritten space surrounding a kanji in calligraphy. A delicate balance from the first images onwards captures one, intrigued by the truth to come, grasping the unspoken drop by drop, often more important than what is actually said, but people can't always express deep feelings in words, and that is where art enters into the picture.
Handheld filming expressing the lead character's feelings, a bit shaky sometimes, uncertain what life is about, sound cut out because it wouldn't add meaning, two stories unfold and mingle in an artistic and philosophical way digging deeper, touching your bare bones.
A melon as a gift is loaded with meaning and "higan" could be reaching the other shore whilst growing towards perfection - Buddhist dharma, or returning when realizing something when crossing the river before completely dying.
"Higan no futari" is back to the basics, for some life is not a complex modern technological situation, but surviving and coping with childhood trauma, and artistic expressions have proven they can be a healthy remedy.
So, I feel relieved and grateful to have seen such a true artistic expression, directed by Yusuke Kitaguchi, great performances on the acting level, filming and producing, one gets offered a point of inflection in these hectic times.
Highly recommended, nevertheless please spare the children, they are the future, take care.
