Sapporo Orinpikku

Sapporo Winter Olympics is directed by Masahiro Shinoda, the director of the classic movies Double Suicide and Silence, among many others. Many of his movies are beautiful visually and play with established structures. So I came into this movie with high expectations--maybe too high. It is not a bad movie by any means. An Olympics documentary exists to document the events and this movie does an adequate job of that. A couple events (the men's cross country and 90 meter ski jump, for instance) get long and interesting examinations. But there are times in the second half of the movie when Shinoda seems bored with the assignment. 7 events are given 90 seconds or less while shots of athletes eating or sightseeing are given more time. And given the location and Shinoda's eye I was surprised there wasn't more scenery, although what little is shown is beautiful. Overall, a mixed bag.

Long almost three hour documentary but so much experimentation in regards to editing and narration choices (some poetry readings, interview) that it remains exciting to watch. Haven't seen a documentary like this before. Traditional Japanese soundtrack mixed with big orchestra and jazz and the Russian composer songs chosen by the figure skaters etc.

Sometimes the editing choices take away from the action (such as overlaying swan images over a figure skating event), but for the most part keep it interesting and evocative. My favorite section was the ski jump: the cinematic shots, slow motion, poetic narration by the Japanese interviewee ski jumper of being "enveloped" by the air like water, the drama of the jump and the bittersweet aftermath of not winning and the "fear" of having to go back to normal life. Perfect encapsulation of the highs and lows of the Olympics.

Stunning documentary! Such a fusion of the 70s and the many cultures that wen to Japan. My mom is from Japan and it was great to see the period as she lived, full of sound and beautiful Sapporo winter scenery, and the mod fashion of the time. Great! Also while I don't understand Japanese the subtitles were poetic in themselves and appreciated throughout.