Tokyo!

Greetings again from the darkness. Three odd shorts merged together because of their Tokyo locations. Normally I am not a fan of the segmented, multi-director approach. The best that come to mind are Paris je'Taime and New York Stories. Tokyo is not at that level.

The always interesting Michel Gondry (yes, he's French) has the best segment. Interior Design provides two story lines ... the fine line between generosity (helping a friend) and taking advantage of that friend; and the loneliness of losing one's self in a relationship. Gondry works wonders in a short time and I absolutely loved the chair as a metaphor.

The second segment comes from another Frenchman, Leos Carax. By far the weakest and least accessible, Merde is about our facing the fear of an unknown terror. We are startled in the beginning as we are introduced to Merde, but the story falls apart after he is incarcerated.

Korean Joon-ho Bong (The Host) presents Shaking Tokyo in the third segment. Dealing with a totally reclusive and obsessive character who, after 10 years, makes his first contact with another person and is captivated. There is some comedy here but also commentary on the need to connect.

Overall, some interesting shorts, but don't expect any tie to the three stories ... other than the fascinating title city.

I saw this at FantasticFest 2008. This collection of strange tales is interesting.

"Interior Design" I love Gondry's style, & his entry was enjoyable as expected - a girl feels she's lost her purpose in life, & changes accordingly. Great effect of her gradual transformation.

"Shaking Tokyo" Well done film - after 10 years indoors, a recluse man decides to go outside for the love of a recluse woman. Mostly narrated with thoughts of the man who has been cooped up too long. An interesting character piece, well acted and shot.

"Merde" This film starts off strong with an incredible opening sequence of continuous action for about 1/4 of a mile in the city, but when the character gets caught the story becomes a tiresome trial that no one understands, because there is lengthy "dialogue" in a fake language with no subtitles. could have benefited from being 10 minutes shorter.

I can honestly say I've never seen a film quite like Tokyo!. It's extraordinary in its scope and themes of love, identity, and purpose. Three different filmmakers: Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine...), Leos Carax, and Joon Ho Bong direct this triptych containing three different stories centered in the city of Tokyo!. All three stories do a great job conveying what it feels like to be a small fish in a big pond. The first film, Interior Design, is about a couple moving to Tokyo and trying to fit in. The second, and my favorite, is called Merde, and to explain it does not do it enough justice. You just have to watch it. The final story, Shaking Tokyo!, is a strange love story, but it works well with the city itself. The film is so unique, it must be viewed by everyone! Go see it!

I love this omnibus movie, a weird but very aesthetic combine with satire and comedic thing. This is not for mainstream viewer.

Ps: bong joon ho story is my favourite.

Well not quite - I mean I've never been to Tokyo, I am not even sure I will ever go there. But what I am sure of: it will be different than what I saw in the movie. Unless .. I go there to visit a movie set. But enough of this crazy talk ... let the crazy images do the talking.

And the crazy stories of course. Three different directors take on Toyko ... and what it means. I reckon to them? And maybe to others - there is something more than intriguing to the "short stories" we get served here. And it all works nicely - well if you don't mind the insanity of it all. Visuals included - there are things depicted here, that I would have a hard time explaining.

Good thing: the stories are way different from each other and you have a lot to discover ... dive in, if you are open minded and can suspend your disbelief.