INDEX
Emotive explosion with the tunes towards the end
As the end of the vacation = the separation of father and son draws near, Sophie and Callum are crossing paths, and there are moments of heaviness in the air. However, amidst the anticipation of the end of their precious time together, they spend time together again in a loving manner. On their last night together, Callum invites a shy Sophie to dance, and the two surrender to the music. In this most moving scene, “Under Pressure” (1981) by Queen and David Bowie is played.
As they dance in slow motion in the 1990s, Sophie and her father’s eyes and bodies intersect with each other. The voices of Freddie Mercury and David Bowie overlap and intertwine with a power that seems to envelop the entire film as the volume is raised higher and higher. The past reminiscences overlap and intersect with the present through the music, and tremendous emotions erupt.
The lyrics of the song are as follows
It’s scary to know this world
Good friends cry out, “Get me out of here”
Let’s pray for tomorrow, better days
Heavy pressure, people lost on the roadTurning our eyes away from all that’s going on in the world
Ignorance won’t change things
Looking for love, but I’m covered in scars
Why?
Why?
Why?Love, love, love
“Under Pressure”
Can’t you try just one more time
Give love one more chance
Why can’t you give love
Because love is an outdated word
But love gives you courage
Thinking of those in the corner of the night
Love gives you courage You change things
As we care for each other
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is us the way we are
While the film remains dark, the film returns to the sound of the miniDV camera. Then, in the home video, Sophie and Callum say goodbye to each other at the airport. And again, stop motion.
The fact that pop music from the past can “make” a film in such an emotional way is once again impressive. This is probably due in no small part to the fact that “Aftersun” is, as the director says, trying to “depict the ‘past’ by making us feel the ‘present. The pop music of the past in the film will continue to exist as belonging to the past if it is merely used as a symbol of the past. However, as long as it somehow tries to open a circuit to the present me and my present feelings, it will become “music that is sounding now.
Playlist of “aftersun
You can listen to the songs mentioned in the text here.
aftersun” will be screened at the Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho from Friday, May 26, 2023.
Opening Friday, May 26, 2023 at Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho, Shinjuku Piccadilly and other theaters nationwide.
Director/Screenplay：Charlotte Wells
Cast：Paul Mescall, Frankie Corio, Celia Rolleson Hall
Distributor：Happinet Phantom Studios
