In Toshiaki Toyoda‘s newest film, “Transcending Dimensions“, a hitman chases a mysterious Japanese ascetic and encounters a mix of mystical power and spacetime. The combination of science fiction and crime breathes new life into his “Mt. Resurrection Wolf” series, which includes the three short films “Wolf’s Calling” (2019), “The Day of Destruction” (2020), and the latest “Go Seppuku Yourselves” (2023).
Transcending Dimensions is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam
Yosuke Kubozuka plays monk Rosuke, who appears to have fallen under the influence of Master Hanzo, a formidable ascetic who believes in the resurrection of wolves. Rosuke’s partner Nonoka (Haruka Imou) brings a skilled assassin named Shinno, played by Ryuhei Matsuda to Hanzo’s mountain monastery to closely observe the enigmatic man, who requests a finger as payment for assisting his followers in transcending to a new dimension. It is there that they encounter the sorcerer Ajari (Chihara Junior), leading to a clash of magical abilities between Rosuke, Shinno, and Ajari. The journey takes us through spacetime as we uncover the secrets of the shrine and the unique roles each of the four main characters play before it is too late.
“Transcending Dimensions” sums up the ingredients of the previous three short films of the series. The cinematography by Kenji Maki and Masaki Murakami‘s editing create a psychedelic trip consisting of the typical tools of Toyoda’s work such as overlong slow-motion sequences. The visual aspects are supported by a strong soundtrack from Sons of Kemet, which has to be experienced on a big screen. Unfortunately, the CGI effects are poorly done, even for a low-budget production, and spoil Toyoda’s ambitious approach of telling a tale about the human mind and its potential to transcend boundaries.
The cryptic narration is challenging at times. As we follow the main characters search for the truth, the esoteric elements are shallow and presented in a dull way. The actors are chosen from the pool of Toyoda’s regular cast also including high class actor Masahiro Higashide and another commonly-known face, Kiyohiko Shibukawa. The film benefits from its renowned ensemble that compensate the weak points of the production to a certain extend.
The director’s attempt to create a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating experience circling around complex philosophical questions meets a disproportionate amount of confusing narrative elements. In the end, the 90-minute feature feels oddly long and remains another mediocre entry to Toyoda’s oeuvre, which seems to be in a decline in recent years. For lovers of his short films, “Transcending Dimensions” will be very appealing in the way it merges the formula of its predecessor and gives them enough screentime for a full-on transdimensional encounter with their favorite filmmaker.
