Summer Vacation 1999

this film is absolutely my personal favourite of all times.

the film sets itself in a vague time and place, it never tries to tell the audience where exactly the boarding school is; and although it says it's 1999, however it gives us a very timeless feeling when we see some strange looking computers in the classroom, what the 4 'boys' wear, and also the traditional look of the boarding school. we can never tell from the film itself unless we look at the title. this not only gives me more room for imagination but also let me get more focused on the attractive plot instead of diverting my attention to unecessary explanation of like why this school locates in this particular place, or why it got to be happening in the year 1999.

the 'boys' are living on their own with no adults around, and with no interference from the outside world. being young and fearless, they are allowed to act childish, to act in an innocent way, and need not care about how the outsiders think about them. this also avoids discussion on the supposed-to-be sensitive issue on gay relationships.

this is not a complete comment on the film, let the film speaks for itself. you will be fascinated. i know it's late to comment on this film after more then 10 years i've seen this movie, but i'm sure it's not too late as you will find it never out-of-date.

rated 10/10.

The director of this film is noted for schlock (Gamera, Godzilla and Anime), but this little film, which gained release in the West and even made it to home video, is something of a curiosity.

The yearnings of a group of schoolboys for one another at a palatial but deserted house where they attend summer school one particularly fetid year suspended somewhere between the past and the future, could be called homoerotic were it not for the obvious fact that the boys are all played by girls. The usual Japanese obsessions with unrequited passion and suicide are filtered in against the backdrop of the mysterious house and grounds. But nothing is resolved, except perhaps the suspicion that it is all only a dream.

Yuriko Nakamura's lovely piano music accompanied by Hajime Mizoguchi's cello contribute to the altogether captivating and haunting atmosphere. I only rate it above average because it doesn't amount to much more than a pretty curio. But a curio that lingers in the memory long after (more than a decade after) I first saw it.

I watched the movie for more than 10 times, every time I watched it, I treated it as a new movie. The movie has no time-frame, no sex and no where. It was said to be happened in 1999, but the feel was old. The actors were said to be boys, but actually they are girls. The school should be in Japan but it was more like a western school. So there can be many combinations:

1 boy + 3 girls + western school + future 3 boys + 1 girl + Japanese school + past 2 boys + 2 girls + western school + future

. . .

There were many ingredients too, friendship, love, scenery, music, family, parents (yes), city and rural, education and even IT . . .

It's summer vacation time, and only 3 students are left in the dorm. These young girls.. I mean boys, have no homes to go back to. And while they pass time, a new student suddenly comes in! One that looks EXACTLY like the friend that seemingly died a few months back..

Quite dramatic! But very charming and memorable.

The movie has lots of juvenile and intimate moments, occasionally-weird dialogue and developments that come out unexpectedly. However, its most captivating aspect is the mysterious atmosphere, skilfully enhanced by visually-interesting scenes and intriguing moments! It's confusing depth is quite alluring.

There are themes of "breaking down walls", being liked and loneliness, constant mature introspection with childish judgment..

I quite liked how the film presents a world without adults, yet discipline is maintained. The world feels simultaneously large, yet limiting. How it was recorded in the past but it is oddly set in the future. The use of an eerie train station that is seemingly normal, yet remains an unexplained mystery. How nothing is said outright, but TOO MUCH is explained. How everything makes sense to itself, yet leaves the viewer in a daydreaming daze. How the narrative seems like an excerpt and a window into its own reality, rather than a story of fully realized lives.. with adults clearly puppeteering the children.

Quite a charming experience! With great music, and very interesting Japanese lines too.

I don't think it is particularly satisfying, but it is amusingly confusing. And it sticks to you as it forces into your heart.. "barefoot and naked". The kind of piece you'd like its creator to explain in detail, and immerse yourself in its creative process.

This film is the best movie I have ever seen.I like the actresses and also the story.The story is interesting and unusual.I have seen this movie for at least 10 times .I like it very much .The actresses act very well.They are professional although they act as boys.Overall,this film is very good.All of you will enjoy it.