Joe Odagiri is known as a famous actor in Japan. But that he is also a director, is something new. His debut feature film; Looking for Cherry Blossoms, plays at the festival. In his introduction he tells us that this film should not be played on such a big screen, in a big theatre. But in Rotterdam it is possible to have a small experimental film in a large theatre, and that what makes it such a good festival. Unfortunately Odagiri had to fly back to Tokyo rightaway, so we couldn't ask him any questions after the film.
Looking for Cherry Blossoms is a roadmovie about two men who are looking for a particular cherry blossom tree. One of them just visited his grandpa, while the older one is a cab driver. On the road they hit a man, who wants to go along with them. While driving they talk, sing and dance.
Dialogues fascinate Odagiri, and they're absurd in Looking for Cherry Blossoms. For example the cab driver, who is named Jack, has a western girlfriend named Michelle. He tells how he first met her after hitting her. Since then they've been together. There is many absurd situations in the film, but the ending is probably the most bizar of all.
Before the film, Odagiri also warned us that Looking for Cherry Blossoms may not even be a film at all. The editing and shots are done in an unconventional way, with slow to extreme fast cutting, and shakey images. Looking for Cherry Blossoms is an absurdistic experiment that's fun to watch, as long as you have an open mind.
***1/2 (out of 5)
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