Tokyo Days

There might be some curious moments and some peculiar things about watching "Tokyo Days" that can attract audiences in seeing it, but it's hard to tell you why. It's basically film director Chris Marker and his girlfriend Arielle Dombasle recording on tape their trip to Tokyo, watching and admiring the amazing futuristic city, its details, its population, the vendors with their products, and some of its attractions.

But it's also the kind of thing that feels like seeing a family member sharing a home video of their trip, or seeing an instagrammer selling the high life: it depends on the viewer in liking it or not (I usually get bored of those things).

Was there something unique and revealing about it? Not really. Arielle talks for a lenghty early period, rambling about Japan's technology and being arrested at the airport on a previous journey and we don't know happened; then it moves to visiting a gigantic market with countless products and the happy female vendors.

But there's some intriguing moments, and some bits of amazement where one can't help but make some reflections on it. The complexity of such large spaces, all colorful and apparently very happy (and they should be since it's a well developed nation who suffered hell during war period and they overcame their situations, invested heavily on education and moved on to be one of the richest places in the world. Plus it's a different culture of values that most people admire). Speaking of war comes a curious bit that feels completely random but one might find a weird connection, a moment where a violinist plays Germany's nation anthem in a very melancholic way that the music feels like another classical piece. Do the connection. And another enjoyable moment comes when a track from "Singin' in the Rain" plays in the background for a long time while showing the city, jolly moments.

However, one feels very empty, bored and annoyed watching all of it since Mr. Marker didn't make any kind of heavy political methapor or a collage of elements to make us analyze if he's doing a criticism or a praise on Japan; or if it's just simply a home video interrupted time and again with its abrupt cuts and no input from the filmmaker. Plus the VHS quality of it all reduces the awe in seeing a beautiful place.

Probably, on a superficial level, Mr. Marker was revealling a portion of what the future would be like where people would share their conquests and fun trips for the whole world to see. Difference here is that he showed to a cinema/video audience rather than depending on followers on countless social medias. And he didn't depend on the likes to generate engagement or generate a revenue stream, he just showed it to us. For that I admire the man. 5/10.

What may at first seem like a film somewhat reminiscent of Wiseman's Central Park, with Marker taking us through a day in the life of Tokyo, Japan. A location that often becomes the focus of his gaze.

It quickly becomes apparent that something much deeper, though subtle, is being conveyed here.

From the onset of things, he immediately confronts us with what is real vs what is construed, with the first juxtaposition of images. Showing us, first, a woman playing music, followed by a robot doing the same in her likeness.

He then begins to interview a beautiful young French woman who seems like she may love cats even more than himself. And one cannot help but think: Is she the woman from La Jetee? Whom the protagonist travels through time to find, time and time again...the object of his attention, haunting his memory, in both waking reality and his dreams.

She narrates their journey through the city, which begins with a stop at an arcade. So as to suggest this reality is all just an illusion. A game we exist within, and are all playing.

The devil's game- a life stuck inside a material existence...yearning for freedom. Liberation.

The game's goal is to keep you confined within it, caught among the masses.

Herded, between the stations, and shopping malls.

Allured, by the sights, the sounds, and general sensory overload of incoming stumuli.

Occupied, by distractions. On the screen, in the streets. Advertisements drawing you in, and people looking into your eyes as you, or they, pass by.

Observation and experience the mechanisms that keep you engaged- as a willing participant.

Repeating the tedious tasks of everyday life...over...and over again.

Despite this world being our prison, however, there is a certain beauty in it.

A beauty that is derived from Love- the only aspect of it that is wholly and truly real.

For in this simulated reality, life is but a dream.

And it's all just a game.

So enjoy it, and have fun while you can.

Just remember, while love may haunt your memory, it will be what liberates you in the end.

8.5 out of 10.