
Watches
February 18, 2022
Most people will hit Obayashi's oeuvre thanks to the reputation of Hausu, once you start to dig a little deeper it turns out that his signature is a lot more toned down. The Drifting Classroom is a notable exception. I wasn't really prepared for the onslaught of bafflement, which made it all the more fun.
Shou leaves for school after a fight with his mom. It will be the last time he sees her, as a freak storm envelops his school building and transports it to a foreign dimension. Shou ends up in a strange desert where time works differently, and giant insects roam the premises. Shou, his classmates and teachers will have to adapt to their new life.
The mix of Japanese and English-speaking actors feels random, the special effects are all over the place (but they're mostly subpar) and a couple of musical intermezzos just add to the overall weirdness. It's not a very technically accomplished film, but Obayashi's vibrant direction, the fantastical elements and somewhat surprising ending add a lot to the appeal. Fun.
More by the director
Nobuhiko Ôbayashi

Sada

Bound for the Fields, the Mountains, and the Seacoast

Emotion

Hanagatami

House

Lonelyheart

Switching - Goodbye Me

The Little Girl Who Conquered Time

The Visitor in the Eye

Beijing Watermelon

Castings Blossoms to the Sky

Chizuko's Younger Sister

Cute Devil

Four Sisters

Goodbye for Tomorrow

His Motorbike, Her Island

I Are You, You Am Me

Labyrinth of Cinema

Samurai Kids

School in the Crosshairs

The Adventures of Kosuke Kindaichi

The Discarnates

Haruka, Nostalgia

Seven Weeks

Take Me Away!

The Deserted City

The Island Closest to Heaven

The Rocking Horsemen
