Okay, let me get this out of the way, the film isn't perfect. The film has an electronic score that runs under some of the sequences which gives the film a slightly dated feel. Outside of that this is a near perfect documentary cum cinematic essay of the sort no one does any more.
The film is a portrait of the group The Ondekoza, a taiko drum based group which takes traditional pieces of music and turns them on their ear. The result is a melding of tradition with modern sensibilities. The film is largely a series of musical performances in various styles that are designed not only to intrigue the ear but the eye as well.
I was enraptured by much of the film. I like taiko drumming and the various types of traditional Japanese music and performance and I was in heaven. There is a sense watching the film that the group relished the chance to do something special and Kato's camera allowed them to do just that.
This film is something magical and even if you aren't a huge fan of the music, the technical veruosity of the filmmaking is a joy to behold.
Recommended
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