Remorse. The story of mental rebirth, shown as if in slow motion. Don’t expect movies like this to have dramatic plot twists or any memorable moments. In principle, there are not so many of them in the film, and the film itself is a kind of cast from reality, in which the actors simply live in the frame. Shinji Azuma presents a social drama in the most art-house performance. Therefore, it is unlikely that the "Soap Bubble" will be understood by a wide audience. Those who like a thoughtful serious movie with a slow and slow plot will still like this picture.
Due to the peculiarities of the genre, the film has many silent scenes that require maximum concentration from the actors. Trying to influence the viewer, the creators repeatedly scroll through the same very dramatic plot in the frame, only each time it is perceived differently. The director seems to play with his viewer, plunging him, after his hero, into the abyss of contradictory feelings and dramatic collisions. You empathize with the hero of Kento Hayashi, you hate him, you regret and you blame him at the same time. But who says people are one-sided?
The whole first part of the film introduces us to the life of the main character - homeless Izumi, who trades in robbery of lonely and fragile women. However, this is done very superficially, apparently, the creators wanted the viewer to add his own opinion about the character. As always in such films, the main thing is to survive the first half. Personally, I had several times the desire to stop watching, but more than once being familiar with the art house – waited for the moment when the narrative finally moved from a dead point. And he was rewarded.
It is hardly necessary to dwell on the plot, since it is already small - the synopsis tells us about it. One has only to dwell on the relationship of our hero with the inhabitants of a mountain village on the outskirts of Miyazaki Prefecture. If change does occur (and it does) it is subtle, natural, and elusive. I think what was decisive was Izumi’s acquaintance with Kuroki, a girl from a local flower shop, or rather her story. Only correlating it with his own fate, our hero understands how dangerous he is to others, and even more - wants to receive remorse. Very revealing dramatic finale with an open end. Shinji Azuma deliberately dwells on the general plan, which hides the fate of Izumi, old Summa and Kuroka's girlfriend. Maybe they didn't wait for him. At least we have a chance to think about it.
Despite the fact that the presentation of the film took place exactly a year ago in Japan, its European premiere took place recently. The British premiere, for example, took place only on February 9, 2018, as part of The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2018. The drama is based on the best-selling novel Where I Belong by crime writer Asa Nonami (published in November 2004), a beautiful meditative story set in a picturesque remote village in southern Japan exploring themes of human sin and redemption.
No doubt, a good movie that teaches something valuable. For example, repentance and humanism, which is present even in those people who least expect it. Enjoy your visit.
7 out of 10