I've seen multiple Japanese films with labyrinths in the title, but not in a physical sense. These are labyrinths of the mind; navigation of the abyss of our emotion and thoughts. Choices we shouldn't have made, choices we should've but didn't. Things we couldn't avoid. Things we don't want to. The rumours we spread to escape reality. Why do we care about those who actively destroys us?
Labyrinth of Dreams is the rain outside the window in an empty train.…
Where is my motherland? I no longer remember.
We are made up not only of our lived experiences, but also of the experiences we couldn't live. Of fragmentary daydreams; frontiers we never reached; countries on atlases and artefacts in solemn museum halls; foam-dashed shores and towering ancient ruins and fog rolling over foreign islands. Memories formed from water-damaged postcards, familiar songs, and fantastical tales overheard as children. Sokurov's halcyon Elegies make me restful. They say: forget all your worries, not because you should but because you have to. Live in your dreams, for they will soon be inseparable from reality.
4.7/5
Like all music, the finis and end of the general-bass should be the glory of God and the recreation of the soul.
Bach's music contrasts with utterly bleak surroundings; rooms with a single piece of furniture, gaunt windowsills, white-washed doors. Between scenes of his measured playing, we are treated to documents, which, though bland, can be ascribed to his success. In this, one can see an excellent metaphor of his creation of beauty not from his actual surroundings, but within…
I like the mythological style of the scenes being reflected in woodcut to tell a folkloric tale, but there's not really much actually being said. Everybody has the hots for Ninko. He can't escape it no matter how hard he tries. That's sort of it? Some shots were quite nice, as well as the overall atmosphere/sound design, but the rushed CGI climax felt sort of like those South Asian greenscreen reels. Definitely had opportunity but missed the mark for me.
2.3/5
Unfortunately, in the copy I watched, the subtitles in the latter half appeared ten seconds or so before the dialogue, which made it quite tedious to keep up with discussions, so I'm looking forward to seeing it synced one day. Really lovely contrasts between the modern apartment and the decaying manor; a beautiful atmosphere Sen has created, which (alongside his other works) is deserving of a remaster. Spare us another Kurosawa box set and give us this.
3.5/5
The poignancy in passion is in creating, not just delighting in the created.
What I expected to be a film about religious tradition (possibly more difficult to get into as an atheist) turned out to be a film about something very understandable and close to me - passion. Why do so many people not exhibit it? Where have the harvest festivals and folk dances and artistic circles gone? They exist, sure. But so many people sit at home, scrolling, consuming…
