Kishibe no tabi

After having watched the brilliant Japanese film 'Sakebi' (Retribution) directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, I was very much looking forward to watch the latest film by one of the most acclaimed masters of horror/thriller cinema in Japan. A prize at Cannes Film Festival 2015 in its prestigious 'Un certain regard' category is something which might induce viewers to choose this film at a film festival. I also thought along the same lines when I booked this film but in many ways, I was utterly disappointed with 'Journey to the shore'. It is a well made film which might induce viewers to travel within Japan especially to small, unknown places. However, as a film by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, one would surely miss the elements of suspense and thriller. They have been replaced with elements of drama and music. They remind astute viewers of the director's previous film 'Tokyo Sonata'. Acting performances by lead players are nice. It could be one of the reasons to watch this film. However, one would surely be disappointed if a viewer intends to explore new mechanisms of horror, thriller or suspense in this film.

I had never heard about "Journey to the Shore" (aka "Kishibe no tabi") before stumbling upon it here in mid-2019. But it being a Japanese movie was more than sufficient to make me sit down and watch it, as I have a big interest and love for the Asian cinema.

"Journey to the Shore" was a mixed experience for me. First of all, the movie was way, way too slow paced. It literally felt like you got almost nowhere during the 2 hours and almost 10 minutes that the movie ran for. That was a massive hindrance for the enjoyment of the movie. And with its unfathomably slow pace, the movie was also burdened by a storyline that offered very little to the audience.

The movie does, however, have some really good acting performances. And the movie was so phenomenally carried by Eri Fukatsu, playing Mizuki. Just a shame that the movie was holding her back, because she definitely have some talent to her craft.

"Journey to the Shore" is not a movie that will appeal to everyone out there. It is something of an acquired taste. And you must have a great patience and a liking for pseudo-avantgarde drama with very little happening throughout the course of the entire length of the feature.

It was a test of my mettle to sit through "Journey to the Shore", but I persevered and stuck with it to the end. Was I entertained? No, not particularly. And I found the overall movie to be less than mediocre, actually. And that is why I am rating "Journey to the Shore" a mere four out of ten stars. If the movie had more contents to the storyline and a more upscaled pacing, then it would have been so much better. This is definitely not a movie that I will watch a second time.

I spent 15 minutes on this and was about to kick the bucket, so boring it was.

I wonder, are those japanese so empty of emotions in real life too? Like dolls, never show fear, joy, just walk, talk, sleep... This is so wrong.

The idea is interesting but the plot is somehow illogical. No explanation how and why dead guy is coming back and act like he is alive, no sign of anything interesting except the fact he is dead. Woman is literally pathetic. You can slap her with a dead fish and she would show no more emotions than the fish. I am not sure to laugh or cry.

Kishibe no Tabi is a hauntingly beautiful and melancholic film that explores themes of love, loss, and the lingering presence of the past. The story follows a woman who is unexpectedly reunited with her deceased husband, embarking on a surreal journey together to visit the places and people he cared about before his death. The film blends reality and the supernatural in a quiet, understated way, making it feel both eerie and tender at the same time. The cinematography is stunning, with serene landscapes that mirror the emotional depth of the story. It's a slow, contemplative film that gently examines the complexities of grief and the healing process. If you're looking for a quiet, emotional journey, Kishibe no Tabi is a deeply moving experience.

I'm surprised at the amount of mixed reviews 'Journey to the Shore' has. It's true that it differs from his acclaimed and popular thrillers, but Kiyoshi Kurosawa still manages to create the same kind of mysteriousness and atmosphere of his previous films. The ambient soundscapes are mostly absent and the score has been replaced by a lush, romantic score. Although only used sparingly, it is reminiscent of a score from the 50's. Its slow pace and philosophical edge is one you'd find in a Stanley Kubrick or Andrei Tarkovsky film, but Kiyoshi Kurosawa blends fantastic lead performances, atmospheric imagery and hypnotic long shots to create a truly breathtaking, innocent, meditative and haunting drama of life and death.