After learning his father has fallen in love with another man, Gin begins to question his identity and worries about his future. He finds solace in a classmate with a crush on him named Narumi, a girl whose mother abuses her and forces her into prostitution. Overwhelmed and feeling let down by the gentrified town they are growing up in, the couple travel to Tokyo in the hopes of finding a new life. However, a change of location can't quell the inner turmoil that is eating them up from the inside.
“Innocent 15″ is Screening as Part of The 2021 InlanDimensions International Art Festival
A nuanced coming of age film, “Innocent 15” takes a minimalistic approach to its narrative, sound and visual presentation while expertly exploring overtly complex issues. Using the backdrop of a town in decay, where the young leave and the old die, the youths portrayed are caught in an unavoidable gentrification in troubled homes. As such, the atmosphere begins in a place of deep-rooted desperation to have one's own struggles recognized on a broader scale past the confines of a dying landscape. This backdrop, coupled with the abuse Narumi receives and the jarring realization visited upon Gin, gives the film a deep sense of tragedy that sucks the viewer into the experience despite the extremely minimalistic approach.
The narrative often holds more weight in what is not said, giving any dialogue spoken poignancy, as every line is measured and impactful. The soundtrack, which floats throughout the production with a few loud flairs, acts as the perfect compliment to exploring the characters' emotions. In addition, the camera work is intimate in capturing the emotions of its subjects – close-ups that capture emotions tied to feelings of loss or defeat. Ultimately, the notable success of the production lies in conveying depth by utilizing all aspects of the production to bring profundity to each emotional moment felt by the “Innocent 15”.
Sara Ogawa as Narumi gives a performance far beyond her age, capturing youth at a turning point in life marked by heavy issues including an abusive parent. Arguably, the story is about both Gin and Narumi, but Ogawa is not only tasked with the bulk of dialogue but also a vastly more harrowing struggle. In comparison, Riku Hagiwara's character is both awkward in performance and narrative, and his struggle does not convey the same profundity as Narumis' while being presented as if it should. If there is any fault in the production, it lies within the imbalance between the two characters in catching audience empathy and attention.
“Innocent 15” is a masterfully executed coming of age drama that exemplifies the use of minimalism to tell an engaging story. At the same time, it is an experience that demands from its audience patience and willingness to read between the lines. As such, it will mostly resonate with those who can embrace the flow of Hirokazu Kai's vision. Regardless, the film deserves of a larger audience as its potential to leave a lasting impression makes it worth exploring.
