Shot entirely in Tsukuba, “Astro Age” is another short by Takayuki Ogawa that manages to have an extensive festival run, both in Japan and internationally.
Astro Age is streaming on TodoiF
Rookie science journalist Misaki is entrusted to interview an astronaut who has returned to Earth after completing a manned asteroid research mission. While Misaki is excited about this dream chance, her aunt recommends that she practice the interview, and she reluctantly ends up listening to space fans found around her. A veteran astronaut, a kid who started dealing with space due to aliens, and an obese girl with an intense fascination on meteorites are the ones who end up being interviewed, resulting in her rethinking both the concept of space and of fulfilling one’s dreams.
Ogawa directs a minimal but quite pleasant 22-minute short, which essentially uses the whole concept of space in order to comment on the differences between one’s wishes and reality, as much as having one’s dreams come true, in a message that addresses both adults and children. In that fashion, the kid and the obese girl seem to realize that what they have in their minds regarding aliens and meteorites is not exactly true, but at the same time do not seem to care, choosing, instead, to focus on the pleasure their dreams/thoughts offer them.
Also of note is how, through these interactions, Misaki changes her perspective both regarding space but also about people, something that becomes quite apparent when the interview with the returned astronaut actually happens. This aspect benefits the most from Sakurako Konishi‘s acting, who portrays her perplexion, change of mentality, and reluctant passion and resolve in equally artful fashion.
The apogee of the short, as much as its central message regarding the value of patience and pursuing one’s dreams, comes during the final interview, which also sheds some light on how the whole publicity thing with “star” astronauts work, in a rather rewarding scene on a number of levels.
Rei Hirano’s cinematography is quite polished, but in a rather fitting way, with the different locations being presented in a fashion that mirrors the overall pleasant aesthetics of the movie, while highlighting the quality of the whole production. Ogawa’s own editing results in an equally fitting mid-tempo, that also allows for the interviews (episodes if you prefer) to unfold without rush, as much as to communicate his messages adequately.
“Astro Age” is quite pleasant to watch, both due to its overall aesthetics and context, which is where its true value lies.
