KIYOSHI KUROSAWA

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BB.5

Original title:  Akarui Mirai

Japan, 2003.  Uplink, Digital Site Corporation, The Klockworx, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation.  Screenplay by Kiyoshi Kurosawa.  Cinematography by Takahide Shibanushi.  Produced by Takashi Asai.  Music by Shigeomi Hasumi, Takemasa Miyake.  Production Design by Yasuaki Harada.  Costume Design by Michiko Kitamura.  Film Editing by Kiyoshi Kurosawa.  

Two friends work in a factory that makes restaurant hand towels and blow their world apart when one decides to kill his boss and his boss’s entire family. The murderer’s father comes to visit after finding out that his son has been sentenced to death, staying at his apartment with the other friend, who has been raising a poisonous jellyfish that he decides to unleash upon the population of Tokyo.

This strange, original little drama makes no apologies for its hard edges or jumbled narrative, but it is also frustratingly dull and visually unappealing. The performances are strong but Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s direction doesn’t keep you particularly involved in the narrative’s events.

Cannes Film Festival:  In Competition

Toronto International Film Festival:  2003