Kanaria

I saw this movie at Oslo International Film Festival yesterday, and it blew me away.

It describes what happens to the children of a religious terrorist mother after she has participated in an attack –from what I understand based on gas attacks in Japan's underground in '95 –though seen from the children's point of view.

Two siblings are taken from the religious cult Nirvana after the terrorist attacks. They've lived completely secluded from outside society in the cult, but are now brought to child welfare. 12-year old Koichi is separated from his younger sister Asako because his grandfather refuses to adopt him. Furious, and having a hard time letting go of the cult's beliefs after having them practically forced upon him, he sets out to reclaim his sister. He dreams of once again living with her and his mother.

While on the run from child welfare, he meets a girl –Yuki –with an abusive father. She tries to help him, and together they set out to find his sister.

The cinematography was beautiful; the (young) actors were absolutely amazing and the movie itself was thought inspiring and just . . . a great experience. I'm not able to do this movie justice by describing it: if you ever get a chance, go see it! I promise you won't regret it.

"I heard this is a masterpiece..." Speaking for myself, to call this film anything less should be a crime.

Wow - even in some of my all time favorite movies I am able to say "well I think it would have been better if this or that had been a bit different..." but not with "Canary." Not only is it a technically solid effort with an equally bedrock cast, the story's treatment of how Japan is dealing with fallout from the late 90's proliferation of 'New Religion' and the Aum Shinrikyo attacks specifically is second to none! Fascinating, gripping, emotional and a delight to watch unfold, "Canary" may well herald the dawn of a new gold standard in Japanese dramatic film.

Every once in a while I across this type of Japanese film. It's a bit like David Copperfield, but with a bunch of flawed characters. The main actor is a boy who was taken out from the cult, and being placed in a foster home. However, he decided to escape in order to find his younger sister in Tokyo. Along the way, a runaway girl that hangs out with older men for money decided to help him. So what do you get when a cult-minded boy travels with a realistic tough girl? An interesting film about people with bad decisions, and a society filled with selfish desires.

Also, it's worth mentioning the main leads act pretty well. I have seen many Japanese kids bad acting... but they convince me in this movie.