THE LIGHT SHINES ONLY THERE is an instance of subtle storytelling
being masterfully utilized to tell a potentially heart-rending tale. The film
never inundates with a crescendo of dramatics to tell its gripping story of
small town woe, nor does it use any particular moments to tug immeasurably at
ones heartstrings. Rather, director Mipo
O achieves a slow boil of grief, during which you feel the oppressive summer heat
of the small Hokkaido town where the story takes place in every frame, dotting
it with poignant moments of humanity when one might least expect to find it.
The conflicts experienced by the film’s central quartet of
characters, is not exclusive to provincial locales, but being stuck in a place
where everybody knows your name heightens their strife. Everyone is anchored by
some sort of burden they drag along. Chinatsu must take care of an ill father
consumed with base desires and take on undignified work to make ends meet. Her
younger brother Takuji is similarly tethered, baring the additional hindrance
of a recent parole hanging over his head. Tatsuo, the stranger who has just
walked into town, carries the weight of a fatal accident on a mining job he
feels responsible for. Meanwhile, a wealthy farm owner, the closest the film
has to a flesh and blood antagonist, uses his resources and influence to try to
control passions and break up an otherwise flourishing relationship between
Chinatsu and Tatsuo.
Through this simple narrative, the film effectively gets at
universal themes: the lifestyle gulf between rich and poor and the nefarious
means those with power relative to others in their community resort to when
they want get their way.
Go Ayano is compelling as the quietly brooding yet
compassionate Tatsuo and Chizuru Ikewaki gives a rather scorching performance,
both scintillating and thorny. The chemistry developed between the two is
enthralling.
This is powerful filmmaking without flexing its muscles and
one of the most beautiful cinematic statements you’ll come across at this
year’s Japan Cuts Festival.
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