Facing relationship difficulties due to a lack of sexual drive, a young woman confides in her best friend the personal reasons why she feels disengaged from the concept of intercourse. The female friend goes on to admit her own love of the woman, as well as advise that she has to tell her partner about her feelings. However, the woman chooses a third option, and that is to lie about being in love with someone else who recently confessed their love. To try to figure the situation out, the three move in together, but jealousy soon takes its toll on the situation.
See You on the Other Side is screening at Japan Cuts Festival
Having previously directed the charming indie film “Amiko“, director Yoko Yamanaka's newest short film certainly embodies the energy and character charm of her feature debut. Furthermore, the short also builds off of her ability to create strong female voices, driven by certainty and pride, even in the face of their own insecurities. As a result, the personas that Yamanaka is able to create in her work, act as a major driving force in garnering appeal.
In addition to the strong character archetypes, the production sees its subjects also tackle a prevalent issue facing Japanese society, the decline of youth's wish to procreate. In addressing this concern, the main protagonist admits that the lack of sexual desire comes from an inability to communicate thoughts during the practice, resulting in feelings of isolation. This sentiment puts voice to the idea of a personality disconnect from society, which struggles to create a sense of oneness in both interpersonal and passive relationships (although what causes this kind of withdrawal is arguable and varies). Ultimately, this statement gives a valid and comforting sentiment to youth who may be struggling or feeling isolated because of harboring such thoughts.
However, it is hard to surmise if this message stays truly effective or does more than just mark it as an observation. This is due to a rather large narrative shift which sees the short film end on a darkly comedic note. Consequently, the movie's real focus becomes obscured, and while still succeeding as social commentary and a dark humor piece on its own merits, the two genres don't really meld together in the end.
With the short being largely shot in enclose spaces, with the exception of a sequence near the end, the production still contains a captivating visual presence. This is largely accomplished through a playful cinematography, which smoothly transitions between characters to best capture their eccentrics and endearing mannerisms. Additionally, the performances vibe well with the narrative and visual styling of Yamanaki, in flexibility to embody both the playfulness and emotional queues required.
“See you on the Other Side” is slightly marred by some inconsistency and confusion in its intentions, falling short to offer a cohesive statement. However, every other aspect of the production is charming, from the visuals to the performances. Undoubtedly, young Yoko Yamanaki has a bright future ahead of her and is slated to become a defining voice for Japanese directors, particular off the strength to create strong and empathetic roles for women in film.
