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CONFESSIONS

(Kokuhaku original title)

Written and directed by Tetsuya Nakashima’ (is the first non-comedy film directed by Tetsuya, who is known for award-winning comedy films ‘Kamikaze Girls’, ‘Memories of Matsuko’, and ‘Paco and the Magical Book’) and based upon the novel by Kanae Minato, the story’s extremely hypnotic and sprawls points of views from multiple characters, each weaved intrinsically with one another and all being uncannily hypnotic in its stylish execution. The hook wraps up everything you’d come to expect from a great thriller. And its sound contrast design to perfection where it seems a teacher is unable to control her class, and is nonchalantly attempting to do so until a bombshell is dropped to elicit an automatic silence, and fear. Unrelentingly dark, this movie is bound to incite feelings of bleakness and perhaps is not suited to those with a weak heart. The subject matter is heavy, the characters are morally-reprehensible and the feel of the movie is wholly somber – from the greys and dull blues which saturate each and every scene to the melancholy (albeit perfectly-suited) soundtrack which works its way infectiously into your mind and makes the horrific scenes before your eyes resonate deeply. I am actually looking forward in watching more work by two of the kids who had main parts; Ai Hashimoto (as Mizuki Kitahara) and Yukito Niishi (as Shuya Watanbe) Great acting by both. MUST WATCH ♥

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