Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman
An impressive achievement, a piece of storytelling which balances moments of flighty whimsy against deeper existential questions.
Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman
A lost cat, a giant, talkative frog and a tsunami help a bank employee without ambition, his frustrated wife and a schizophrenic accountant to save Tokyo from an earthquake and find a meaning to their lives in the animated feature Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman. Based on stories by acclaimed Japanese author Haruki Murakami (Drive My Car), the debut of composer Pierre Földes won the Jury Special Mention award at the renowned Annency Animation Film Festival.
Tokyo, a few days after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Kyoko suddenly leaves her husband after spending five days in a row glued to unfolding earthquake footage on TV. Her helpless husband Komura takes a week’s leave from work and heads north to deliver a box and its unknown contents to two young women. His colleague Katagiri, a simple debt collector by profession and an awkward loner in life, returns home one evening to find a two-metre-tall frog asking for his help to save Tokyo from an imminent earthquake. Through memories, dreams and fantasies, Kyoko, Komura and Katagiri, influenced by their visions of earthquakes—which are manifested as evil willow trees, giant earthworms, secret vows, mysterious boxes and a dark, endless corridor—attempt to rediscover their true selves.
Tokyo, a few days after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Kyoko suddenly leaves her husband after spending five days in a row glued to unfolding earthquake footage on TV. Her helpless husband Komura takes a week’s leave from work and heads north to deliver a box and its unknown contents to two young women. His colleague Katagiri, a simple debt collector by profession and an awkward loner in life, returns home one evening to find a two-metre-tall frog asking for his help to save Tokyo from an imminent earthquake. Through memories, dreams and fantasies, Kyoko, Komura and Katagiri, influenced by their visions of earthquakes—which are manifested as evil willow trees, giant earthworms, secret vows, mysterious boxes and a dark, endless corridor—attempt to rediscover their true selves.
Genre
Animated,
Drama,
Sci-Fi
Runtime
110
Language
English
Director
Pierre Földes
Writer(s)
Pierre Földes,
Haruki Murakami
Awards:
Nominee, Cristal, Annecy International Animated Film Festival
Winner, Jury Prize, Annecy International Animated Film Festival
FEATURED REVIEW
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian
Pierre Földes makes his feature directing debut here, having been long been a composer; his musical credits include Michael Cuesta’s 'L.I.E.' from 2001, and he has written the score for this movie too, which brings together a constellation of characters and storylines around the recent Tokyo ...
Played at
Royal 4.14.23 - 4.20.23
Glendale 4.21.23 - 4.27.23
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