Making a Powerful Impression
Remember that person who was so different from you? They were always out there, doing things their own way. Some of their quirks stuck with you long after they left your life. Maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it, but they had an impact on who you are today. Maybe it’s like yesterday – but the impact is real.
Sasaki In My Mind is a heart-wrenching and introspective look into the life of Sasaki, a man who had an immense impact on Yuji. We learn about his struggles with mental health, how he overcame them, and the support system that helped him through it.
Yuji is an actor who has been struggling to find success. He’s been packing soap into tiny boxes and then packing the small boxes into bigger boxes, living with an ex-girlfriend, and not really connecting with his work on a play. A fellow actor nudges him to start working on the play but Yuji is hesitant, feeling like he’s on the edge with everything. ..
Yuji is friends with Tada, a classmate from school. Tada immediately senses Yuji’s situation and helps him out. Yuji avoids any challenges and confirms that he doesn’t like to lose. Tada reminds him – that’s just like Sasaki.
It seems like there are two types of crazy friends. The one with all his/her needs taken care of and who can do anything without a care in the world. And the one who’s already got nothing – as they say, a kite without a string. The distinction may be circumstance but the intent – that’s what makes the outcome. Picture the space between Steff and Duckie – yes, I’m referencing high school classic Pretty in Pink here – some people are not set up to win.
You come to the realisation that it’s not just Sasaki who evolves others, but they also affect him. As high school boys, maybe not in the best way they could – a little too much reality here or encouraging the outrageous there.
The film, “School of Rock,” is a departure from the typical K-movie. The story follows a group of unfulfilled 40-somethings who are inspired to revive their school rock band. The nostalgia present in the film is different than what is typically seen in K-movies. ..
The story is narrated by a man who has been living in a world where he was always the one in control. He never had to worry about anyone else. But when he moves to a new city, everything changes. He starts to get lost in the crowd and starts to feel like he’s not really part of anything. Then, one day, he comes across a girl who seems different than the others. She’s gentle and kind-hearted, and she makes him realize that he’s been living in a bubble all his life. The world is more complicated than he thought it was.
Sasaki In My Mind, the latest film from director Kaneto Shindo, won the Kaneto Shindo Silver Award in 2020 and was nominated for a number of other film festivals this year. With a strong cast including Yoko Shimomura and Tadanobu Asano, Sasaki In My Mind is getting some attention and will hopefully receive a wider distribution. ..
This film is about a young man named Takuya who is struggling with his identity and trying to find his place in the world. He’s a Gleek, which is an outsider in society. He’s not sure if he should be happy or sad because his life is hard. But despite all of the challenges, Takuya still tries to find a way to make the best of his life. In the end, he finds that it’s okay to be uncool or awkward and even if your life is hard.
In a recent interview, Gaku Hosokawa, the actor who plays Sasaki in the film, said he was inspired by his school friend to create the story. He said Uchiyama and he worked on the script together over a year plus. Hosokawa, looking incredibly different from when he first appeared in Love in 2021 and We Can’t Walk in 2019, also appears in 2021 movie Love as well as We Can’t Walk.
Kisetsu Fujiwara, the lead actor in Silence, Lychee Light Club, and several other movies this year, is busy. ..
The film is shot in a unique way that creates a sense of realism. The camera angles are paired with music that is just right to create the perfect mood. The lighting is bright and true to life, making the characters and setting come alive. You’ll feel like you know them from the start.
Yuji’s version of the story is a retelling of the story as he likes it, with a focus on his own memories and experiences. This allows him to keep the story alive and connect with himself in a way that is unique to him.
The London East Asia Film Festival runs from October 21-31 and offers screenings of fantastic movies from across East Asia. For more information on the programme, see the LEAFF website.
