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Ritual
式日
2000 128 min Japan
★7.4
Drama
Director: Hideaki Anno
Trailers
Description
A disillusioned filmmaker has an encounter with a young woman who has a ritual of repeating "Tomorrow is my birthday" everyday. He tries to communicate with her through his video camera.
Starring
Shunji Iwai
Actor
Ayako Fujitani
Actor
Jun Murakami
Actor
Awards
1 win & 1 nomination
Key opinion
Ritual is a hypnotic, experimental drama that uses surreal visual metaphors and a slow, contemplative pace to explore themes of loneliness, trauma, and identity. While its niche appeal and abstract narrative style may not suit all viewers, those who engage with its symbolic language find it to be a deeply atmospheric and emotionally resonant work.
| Cinematography | The film utilizes a powerful, cohesive visual language centered on striking color symbolism and industrial settings to evoke a dreamlike atmosphere. | |
| Score | The score by Takashi Kako creates a mesmerizing, hypnotic soundscape that significantly elevates the emotional depth of the film. | |
| Acting | Ayako Fujitani delivers a standout, emotionally nuanced performance that grounds the film’s more surreal and abstract elements. | |
| Direction | Hideaki Anno’s direction successfully balances experimental techniques, such as handheld footage and self-reflective narratives, to provide a profound look into psychological trauma. | |
| Pacing | The slow, meditative pacing and abstract storytelling reward contemplative viewers but may feel inaccessible or exhausting to those seeking a traditional narrative structure. |