I watched the film Confessions with olive tonight (since she hasn't seen it) after taking a break from re-watching it too many times (I think you always need a long break before rewatching something for a refreshed viewpoint. and its quite interesting the new things you notice or learn again every time, that's what good films do..)
I only have maybe four films I would consider my Life films - ones that I cannot even believe exist because they are the grandest masterpieces I've ever experienced, it makes me feel thankful I am alive to witness them. They make the world a better place. These films are why I love cinema. and I felt that they really added so much value in my life. Every time I rewatch them it is almost emotionally draining because I treasure it so much. they are perfect pieces of cinema I cannot talk about easily. Confessions is one of them. Alongside Fantastic Mr. Fox, Princess Mononoke, and Isle of Dogs. A lot of other films come close and I love them so, so, so much because of the impact it made and their artistry (e.g. drowning love, nausicaa, parasite, tales from earthsea, shutter island, paranorman, perfect blue etc..)
and I actually attempted to paint a scene from it on the biggest panel I ever made back in foundation, but I feel it failed... it was so flat, (I didn't know the tracing technique back then) but I want to rework it sometime in the future. anyway, in this rewatch the film was beautiful as ever, and I am noticing more of its construction this time around, plus the numerous slowing down of shots, and the continuous very gloomy tones of colour throughout the film. I love the narration that fits perfectly with the 'confessions'. I love the way information is revealed to the audience, bit by bit, at the perfect pace and execution. I love the shots in between, that are symbolic.. I love the quote I always think about, '... the sound of something important to you, disappearing forever' - the bubble pop as his mother left him. in the end, moriguchi says to him, it's not a pop, it's more like a kaboom. I just love that the element of sound is incorporated here as the metaphor, much like a confession, which could be written or heard in communication. this story is about the most clever revenge, the desperation of wanting to be noticed by family/after abandonment, the resort to murder for notoriety, the value of human life, wanting to turn back time, the fear of family/people you love dying... it is everything that speaks to me in my studio work. that's why it's one of my life films, you see the human nature conveyed in such a raw way, the beautiful and the ugly. and the execution - just visually it is beautiful too. not to mention the extremely successful integration of the music chosen. Everything is just so perfect. I want to be buried with this film along with the others. I must do works from it, and I want to, but because I am so emotional about it, it is quite difficult because you want to execute that perfectly. one day, soon...
