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

Hollywood’s All-Out Effort: ‘Oppenheimer’

-What comes to mind for you, Osanai?

Osanai: Certainly, ‘Oppenheimer’ (directed by Christopher Nolan) is a must-mention… Although technically it’s a 2023 release. In Japan, around the same time, ‘Dune: Part Two’ (directed by Denis Villeneuve) was also released, which made me feel like these two films marked the “final all-out effort of Hollywood cinema.”

Osanai: In contrast to ‘Dune: Part Two,’ which assembled an all-star cast in leading roles, ‘Oppenheimer’ featured a variety of actors, some relatively unknown. When I posted the names of supporting actors like Josh Hartnett, Dane DeHaan, and David Krumholtz on social media, it received quite a bit of attention. It means there are many dedicated fans of these actors. It made me think that Nolan might gather a broad range of movie fans like this and make his films successful.

Kizu: While it was unfortunate that its release was delayed despite being originally meant to symbolize 2023, I also felt that the timing after the Academy Awards heightened its topicality. Of course, the subject matter itself contributed, but the delay also brought attention to it. By the way, how did you find the content of the film?

Osanai: I really liked it. While I think it could have benefited from a bit more pacing, its fast tempo was so impressive that it felt like the audience was being left behind, and that was remarkable. I think it’s crucial that I understood there’s a significant gap between the creators and the audience, between Japan and Nolan. It’s a film that should spark discussion precisely because it doesn’t aim for easy comprehension.

Kizu: For me, Nolan has consistently been a director I can’t fully immerse myself in. Of course, when I first saw his work in IMAX, I felt the determination to capture something definitive as a leading director in contemporary Hollywood. However, at the same time, I had reservations about his films being tailored for IMAX…

It’s said to be a first-person film that uses the “immersion” promoted by IMAX, but I felt conflicted about whether modern cinema is limited to that approach. Because it’s first-person, I ended up sensing something like heroism. When telling the history of the atomic bomb, I wondered if it had been accepted by Americans as a heroic story of someone who had to become Prometheus.

Osanai: In terms of “heroic,” I may have had a completely opposite view. Regardless of being Japanese, Oppenheimer wasn’t portrayed in a way that made him relatable at all, in my impression.

Later on, the focus shifts to his involvement in the Red Scare. I believe American films often reflect on their own history, and in that sense, I felt this film also had elements of introspective American cinema.

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.

‘Challengers’: A Stimulant in Bleak Times

-Both of you have unanimously listed “Challengers” (directed by Luca Guadagnino) as one of the best of the first half of the year.

Kizu: I also have a liking for the filmmaker Luca Guadagnino. What I appreciated about this film was how it turned an inconsequential love triangle into something exhilarating. At a time when the world is so tumultuous with events like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, there are moments when one can’t help but feel mentally weighed down. The exuberance of this film, however, lifted my spirits.

Furthermore, Guadagnino has been following in the tradition of Italian cinema by exploring the concept of eros. His portrayal of eros in a post-Me Too world has left an impression, capturing a refreshing form of eroticism.

Osanai: Previously, you referred to Luca Guadagnino as the “author of summer and eros” on a podcast, and I really love that phrase. After watching the film, I went to a nearby bar where coincidentally another customer who had watched the same episode was sitting at the counter. They said, “It was a grand 3P movie,” and we both laughed.

Kizu: That’s it! [Laughs]

Osanai: It really is that kind of film. In the midst of various diversities portrayed in films since Me Too, the sheer audacity of a movie solely focused on three people aiming for ecstasy was fascinating. It’s a film that excessively depicts male bodies, where I couldn’t help but fixate on the actors’ abs, but that absurdity was just brilliant.

Kizu: I think Guadagnino, while appearing casual, is actually quite conscious of the world post-Me Too. He seems to be challenging how to express eros in American cinema.

Osanai: While it’s a slightly different type, I think we shouldn’t overlook the success of ‘Anyone but You’ (directed by Will Gluck). It suggests something significant that in the post-Me Too era, a typical and overtly sexy romantic comedy featuring predominantly white characters could become such a hit.

Kizu: When macho guys like Glenn Powell show off their nice bodies, they often get comments like “those muscles are just for show,” and they might be caught listening to pop music that’s generally considered cheesy. It’s quite contemporary to depict this kind of “adorable macho” character.

On the other hand, I also sensed a nostalgia for 1980s to 1990s blockbuster movie vibes. I’m a bit concerned that American cinema might be diving into a mood of nostalgia for the past.

Capturing the Intrigue of Unfathomable Films: ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ and ‘Evil Does Not Exist‘

-‘Anatomy of a Fall’ (directed by Justine Triet) is also mentioned by both of you.

Osanai: I think this film is wonderful, but I also have some thoughts about its reception on social media and in reviews. While I believe this film allows for various interpretations depending on the viewer, I noticed that many discussions focused solely on its gender perspective. While it’s valid to discuss the film from that angle, I find it frustrating when discussions exclusively revolve around that perspective, as if that’s the only aspect of the film worth discussing. It can be exhausting because it may not fully convey why someone would want to watch the film in the first place.

Kizu: I think that’s a movement specific to the age of social media. However, regarding the film ’Anatomy of a Fall,’ I also felt that it delves significantly into gender and sexuality perspectives. It’s not just about portraying men in a negative light; rather, it presents a script where the woman is the breadwinner while the husband takes care of household chores and childcare, appearing as a “progressive couple” to society. When they step outside the home, it brings forth other issues.

Lately, I’ve found French cinema quite interesting, and I consider this film to be one of those. Directors like Céline Sciamma with ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ (2020), Julia Ducournau with ‘Titane’ (2021), Alice Diop with ‘Saint Omer’ (2022), and Laura Kivorchian with ‘Rodeo’ (2022) have emerged, bringing complex gender issues into film narratives. The complexity of these narratives doesn’t quite align with the one-sided views often seen on social media, which is why I feel that films are ahead of social media discourses, offering more complexity and richness.

Osanai: I think my interpretation of ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ as a film about creation and making things also contributed to my discomfort with how it was received by the public. It portrays a couple where both are artists, but the husband loses out to his wife in terms of the ability to complete their work. There are various interpretations possible, but the son constructs the story based on his mother’s testimony, leading to the belief that his father committed suicide. I interpreted it as a discussion on how creation can deeply impact people.

It was truly complex and not easily relatable, but that’s what made it remarkable. Similarly to ‘Oppenheimer’ mentioned earlier, films that are not easily relatable or understood, and those that shock you when you watch them, tend to leave a lasting impression.

-Since you yourself are a playwright and director, it makes sense that you view films from the perspective of creation. In that regard, there was also ‘Evil Does Not Exist’ (directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi), which could be seen as a film that evokes feelings of “not easily understood” and “shocking when watched.”

Osanai: The atmosphere in the movie theater right at the end was incredible. We all shared a moment of surprised astonishment, like “Wait, what just happened?” I’m sure everyone carried that lingering feeling of confusion home with them, pondering, “What was that all about?”

I once again felt that the unique presence of characters in Hamaguchi’s films is largely due to his method of dialogue delivery. The villagers speak in a manner that might be called “wooden” or stiff. In theater, there’s a technique called “cold reading,” which differs from speaking stiffly. It involves reading the text neutrally, without adding dramatic embellishments, in order to preserve the essence of the text itself. As a result, in scenes like the assembly, emotions of the characters come across flatly, yet without any overt assertions, directly reaching the ears of the audience. Viewers who don’t typically watch many movies might especially find it startling.

-It seems that Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s method of reading scripts is influenced by Jean Renoir, the French film director.

Kizu: I found it fascinating how the setting changes throughout. It starts in a natural, scenic place, but then shifts abruptly to scenes inside an entertainment agency’s office, which distinctly feels like a Hamaguchi film.

The intriguing conversations in the car and the constant sense of unease about “where, when, and what will happen” persist throughout. Although compared to Éric Rohmer, especially in works like “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy” (directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, 2021), there are actually quite significant differences. Hamaguchi’s films carry a suspenseful edge, where conversations can unexpectedly turn unsettling, embodying his unique style. The film boldly ventures into new territory, culminating in a blend of Hamaguchi’s cinematic mastery with entirely fresh elements. It was fascinating to see this culmination and exploration of new directions in Hamaguchi’s filmmaking.

Cultural Shift: ‘All of Us Strangers’ and ‘Past Lives’ Reflect the Rise of Personal Narrative in Film

Kizu: Did you have any memorable actors in the first half of this year?

Osanai: Andrew Scott is the MVP, isn’t he? He had three remarkable works in the first half of the year: “Strangers” (directed by Andrew Haigh), the drama series “Ripley,” and a solo performance in “Warrior” at the National Theatre Live. All three were fantastic. He really elevated the mood for me this half-year as the most impressive actor.

Kizu: Mine is John Magaro from ‘Past Lives’ (directed by Celine Song). Part of why I liked it is, well, because I’m a guy [laughs], but also because I welcome the increasing prominence of indie-leaning actors. Until recently, there was a trend where everyone seemed to be starring in Marvel films, but now actors like Paul Mescal are expressing intentions to focus more on indie films.

Osanai: Paul Mescal is great too. I went to see “Strangers” with a friend who is 10 years younger than me. He had just seen ‘aftersun’ (directed by Charlotte Wells) beforehand and was surprised that it was the same person. His choice of roles is good, and I want to keep an eye on him in the future. However, I’m a bit worried because his next film is ‘Gladiator II’ (directed by Ridley Scott), which is quite different in tone.

Kizu: Paul Mescal, like previous stars, has a well-built physique and attractive appearance, but what I find modern about him is the sense of vulnerability and fragility in his roles. In that sense, I wonder if the hero portrayed in ‘Gladiator II’ will be different from what we’ve seen before. In Japan, the image of Hollywood stars seems to have stopped at the era of Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, and many people might not know Timothy Chalamet. However, new types of stars are emerging rapidly, which is also an interesting phenomenon of recent years.

By the way, ‘All of Us Strangers’ captures Andrew Haigh’s style well, but what impressed me was how it transcended gender and sexuality to become a work that resonates universally, thanks to its detailed portrayal of gay culture and history. Films like ‘Past Lives’ and ‘All of Us Strangers’ reflect a trend where movies themselves are becoming more personal and emotionally resonant. While it’s great to have films like ‘Oppenheimer’ that are widely seen and talked about, as a film writer, I often ponder how to ensure that personal films reach their intended audience effectively.

-With streaming becoming commonplace and the volume of content increasing, delivering films effectively has become an even more crucial challenge.

Osanai: Regarding actors and creators, more attention is being drawn from streaming productions, isn’t it? Nowadays, to understand which actors are making waves and where, you have to check out streaming content. That’s why I also want to pick up on who to watch for in the future.

One streaming film from the first half of the year that I particularly want to highlight is ‘Roadhouse’ (directed by Doug Liman). It’s an easy-going action film perfect for a weekend watch. Jake Gyllenhaal, the lead actor, also makes good choices in his roles. Another serious war film from the first half was ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’ (directed by Guy Ritchie). Both are around two hours long, straightforward Hollywood movies that you can enjoy quickly. It’s clear they are consciously choosing to appear in such films, and I found them to be works that I really wanted to see reach their audience well.

Osanai: Also, in terms of streaming movies, ‘Musica’ (directed by Rudy Mancuso) was quite good. The director and lead actor both have backgrounds as YouTubers, showcasing emerging new talents in this contemporary musical film.

Kizu: I often overlook streaming content. It’s hard to keep track of when new releases will appear on which streaming service. While I can follow dramas that are popular overseas, I end up missing out on many movies.

-Unlike films shown in theaters, they often don’t get much advertising either, do they?

Kizu: That’s right. It really requires movie fans helping each other out.

Osanai: Absolutely. It’s crucial that people who love movies, including dramas, share recommendations like “this was great” to prevent overlooked films from piling up unnoticed.