Watch Hanagatami

Hanagatami is a visually stunning and unconventional coming-of-age film directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, known for his cult classic horror film House. The film is based on a novel by Kazuo Dan, which was published in 1937. The story is set in Karatsu, a small town in the south of Japan, in the spring of 1941, just before the outbreak of World War II. The protagonist is a teenage boy named Toshihiko (Shinnosuke Mitsushima), who moves from Tokyo to Karatsu to live with his aunt and her family while his father is away on business. Toshihiko quickly becomes friends with a group of young people, including the graceful and free-spirited Ukai (Keishi Nagatsuka) and the enigmatic and rebellious Kira (Shunsuke Kubozuka).

The film's plot is not straightforward, and it tends to jump around in time and space, reflecting Toshihiko's fragmented memories and emotions. The story is narrated by Toshihiko's future self, who has returned to Karatsu many years later and is reminiscing about the summer of 1941. As he explores the town and visits the places that were important to him and his friends, he gradually remembers the events that shaped his life and the lives of those around him.

As Toshihiko gets to know Ukai, Kira, and their circle of friends, he discovers that they are all struggling to find their place in a world that seems to be falling apart. The looming war, the societal pressures of their time, and their own inner demons are all sources of anxiety and despair. Toshihiko's aunt, who is dying of tuberculosis, also adds to the atmosphere of gloom and uncertainty.

Despite the heavy themes, the film is not devoid of humor and whimsy. Obayashi infuses the story with surrealistic touches and cinematic tricks, such as freeze frames, jump cuts, color filters, and superimpositions. The film's visual aesthetic is a mix of natural beauty and artificiality, with vividly colored flowers, intricate costumes, and stage-like sets. Obayashi also incorporates a wide range of music, from classical pieces to popular songs, to evoke different moods and emotions.

Ultimately, Hanagatami is a film about youth, love, and loss, and about the fragility and beauty of life. It is a film that demands patience and open-mindedness from its viewers, as it is not always easy to follow its twists and turns. However, for those who are willing to immerse themselves in its dreamlike world, the film can be a rewarding and unforgettable experience. The performances by the three leads are all superb, with Kubozuka in particular delivering a mesmerizing and unpredictable portrayal of Kira. The film's final scene, in which Toshihiko confronts the specter of death, is one of the most haunting and cinematic moments in recent Japanese cinema.

In conclusion, Hanagatami is a film that defies easy categorization and description. It is a film that requires active engagement and interpretation from its viewers, but also rewards them with an emotional and visual feast. It is a film that reminds us of the power of cinema to create new worlds and explore the depths of the human soul.

Hanagatami is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 48 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.