From ‘Oppenheimer’ to ‘All of Us Strangers’: Cinematic Highlights of Early 2024″

Victor Erice’s Works: Symbolizing Retroactive Popularity

-Did you have any favorite films from the first half of the year?

Kizu: First, ‘Close Your Eyes’ (directed by Victor Erice). When Erice returned with his first feature film in 40 years, I felt a positive sense that a younger generation was rediscovering him. The so-called “cinephile culture” and “arthouse theater culture” have often been discussed as having declined in Japan. However, within the context of easy access to old films through streaming services, these cultures have actually evolved and seem to be experiencing a resurgence. I find it interesting that there’s been an increase in retrospectives at arthouse theaters, and I think “Dream of Light” symbolizes that trend well.

Osanai: Regarding retrospectives, in the first half of the year, there was a special screening series at Shimokitazawa Cinema to coincide with the sale of the book “Women’s Movie Breakfast” (Film Art Company). Even the night screening of “Ms . 1981 Angeles , attracted a full house with many young viewers , intrigued by how they managed to hear about and develop an interest in the culture

Kizu: Two years ago, when I heard that Wong Kar-wai’s retrospective was popular, I felt like “finally, the revival of my generation has come.” I often heard that young people were attending as well, so I think that with the generalization of streaming, there’s a sense among the younger generation that “old movies are great too,” but in a different way than the era of rental videos.