Throw Michel Gondry from ‘The Science of Sleep’, Joon-ho Bong from ‘The Host’ and Leos Carax from ‘Les Amants du Pont-Neuf’ into the mix, what would the artistic chemical reaction be? Put this trio through a ‘lost in translation’, what would become of it? An earthquake, a monster from underground, or someone turning into a chair? The film ‘TOKYO!’ is the answer.
 
‘TOKYO!’ is co-directed by the three directors mentioned above, each has a very diverse perspective on Japan. Joon-ho Bong notices its loneliness: middle-age Teruyuki Kagawa, who had not step out of his house in the past ten years, falls in love with pizza delivery courier Aoi Yu through an earthquake. And realises the city is just as lonely as he is. Leos Carax notices the monster in Tokyo spirit: a green creature unscrews the penstock lid and climbs out from the sewer. Not unlike Godzilla, runs to the street and causes a stir.
 
Michel Gondry notices the melancholy of Tokyo: Kase Ryo and Fujitani Ayako play a couple. Him focusing on financing his own film and her, being jobless and homeless, suffers from existential crisis which eventually turns her into a chair. If one is familiar with Michel Gondry’s work, one can expect to see his quintessential surreal imagery and intense imagination in this film. With a vibe closer to ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’, this is almost a Japanese female version of ‘Metamorphosis’.

Three directors, three stories, with Tokyo being the only lead character. ‘TOKYO!’ is already shown at ‘Un Certain Regard’ as part of Cane Festival 2008. The film will officially be in cinemas across Japan on 16th August 2008.

Text: Ernest Chan | Translation: dilettante | Update: 16 Aug 2008

TOKYO!
http://tokyo-movie.jp/