Films about films have always been a rather interesting category of movies, with a number of accomplished productions also coming from Asian countries, and Japan in particular, having the lion's share. Ryo Yamashita tries his hand in the subgenre, by including another indie favorite, prostitution.
“Instead of You” is screening at Japan Film Fest Hamburg
Koizumi is a high school student, who is obsessed with making a movie through the film club of his school, to the point that he is constantly writing his thoughts about a script on a notebook he carries with him everywhere he goes. His tendency, almost inevitably, leads to a series of bullying episodes in school, particularly when one of his tormentors grabs his notes and finds out that his work is a love story involving a prostitute, and mistakes it for a porn. Koizumi is unwavered, though, and to achieve the realism he wants his work to have, he has arranged to meet a prostitute in order to interview her, although the girl has no clue about his agenda. His first meeting with Michika is rather eventful and ends in utter failure, but Koizumi insists, and eventually the two start bonding over a game of jenga, with the interview actually going both ways. While every notion the young man had about prostitution is shattered, he also finds himself on a path towards self-awareness, that is also instigated by the comments of his partner in the movie club.
In a film that looks at least partially autobiographical, Ryo Yamashita presents the trip a young man needs to experience in order to become a full time director, a trip that is filled with pain, the shattering of a number of preconceptions, and in general, the amassing of experiences. Yamashita seems to state that just being obsessed with making movies is definitely not enough, and one should experience as much of life as possible if he/she ever wants to become a full-fledged filmmaker.
At the same time, and through this trip Koizumi undertakes, he also manages to make a number of comments regarding self-awareness, friendship, parenthood, bullying, and particular prostitution, which in this case, is presented essentially as just another line of work, and not as the hellish profession so frequently implemented in cinema. His pragmatic approach functions quite well within the narrative, with the lack of erotic scenes actually working in favour of the film, allowing the focus to remain on the coming-of-age of a filmmaker element, while the game of Jenga is implemented in the best fashion as its metaphor. Chiho Shishime in the role of Michika is the embodiment of this approach, with her cynical approach towards her profession and Koizumi's attitude, being one of the most appealing elements of the movie.
In just 60 minutes, Yamashita does not manage to explore all the aforementioned concepts fully, but his main idea is quite well-presented, while the finale cements his overall approach in the best fashion, additionally closing the movie in the most entertaining way, in a different kind of happy ending. The transitional montage towards this part is also excellent, with the fact that the last sequence takes place in the same location the previous arcs ends highlighting the change Koizumi underwent and the way experiences shape a filmmaker.
Undou Kokansetu is also good as Koizumi, highlighting his simultaneous perplexity and frustration in the best fashion, although his acting seems a bit off on a number of occasions, particularly in the presentation of his eccentricity.
Regarding the production values, it seems the edition of the movie I watched was before post-production, so some work in the sound and the coloring definitely needs to be done.
“Instead of You” is an interesting mix of film about film and coming of age, that will definitely find appeal among fans of both categories.
