Plot: A young boy dies, but he isn't too keen on abandoning life. And so he escapes death, fleeing back into the world of the living. It's the beginning of a fantastical journey. Along the way, he meets a cast of interesting people and special places, but he can't run away from his fate forever.
Watches
July 28, 2025
A cute little mid-length feature that reminded me of Obayashi's early shorts. There'sn't much in the way of a coherent narrative, apart from the film's brief premise. It's a sort of road movie that's more about cinematic wonder and experimentation than it is about anything concrete, unless I'm missing the symbolism.
The film is shot as if it were a 20s silent. There are lots of jump cuts, removed frames, text inserts, and stop-motion animations. The pace is high, there are many cute ideas and details, and the upbeat mood makes this extra pleasant. It's not quite unique or original enough to be a true personal favorite, but this is exactly the type of cinema I appreciate.