As famous photographer, Yuta Suzumori's (Tatsuya Fuji) health is worsening he tells a childhood story of when he saw a kappa in his hometown village of Kitagawa.
Cinematography
Dusty village light that feels like faded photographs
Acting
Tatsuya Fuji's crumbling dignity—never showy, always devastating
Direction
Ishii blurs folklore and sci-fi until neither makes sense
Director
Tatsuya Ishii
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The kappa is a classic yōkai, but Ishii treats it like Tarkovsky's Stalker—something that might be alien, spiritual, or psychological.
Tatsuya Fuji was 58 playing dying; he lived to 83, making this premature elegy for himself accidentally prophetic.
JP
