Big Man Japan

Section: World Cinema
Directed by: Hitoshi Matsumoto


Dai-Nipponjin; Japan, 2007
Dir.: Hitoshi Matsumoto
Scr.: Hitoshi Matsumoto, Mitsuyoshi Takasu
Phot.: Hideo Yamamoto
Ed.: Hisaya Shiraiwa
Music: Towa Tei
Cast: Hitoshi Matsumoto, Riki Takeuchi, Ua, Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Haruka Unabara
Format: 35 mm; Color; 113 mins
Language: Japanese voice, Hungarian subtitle
www.dainipponjin.com
Hungarian distributor: Budapest Film.

For a while, nothing points to the fact that the title refers to the man being interviewed, Daisato, an ordinary man in his 40s who has fairly major problems with relationships and motivation. But he is most certainly the 'great Japanese' whose inevitable fate it is to battle the overgrown ‘baddies’ who beset Japan every now and then. For that, Daisato is energized at special points, as a result of which he grows to a giant size. But the responsibility weighs heavy on him. In these mediatised times, everything is live on TV and the ratings drop. In addition, the people complain about the mess he makes in his fight.

Hitoshi Matsumoto’s film debut has been a long time coming. Matsumoto took five years to write the screenplay and the film was in production for a year - in great secrecy. To call the result unique is no exaggeration, certainly for those who are used to Japanese excesses. That is partly a result of the everyday portrayal of existential despondency, which forms the heart of the film, and because of the delightful computer animation and the bizarre transcendental ending.

See also:
	Among the Clouds		Che: Part One
	Lucky Miles		Made Up Memories
	Medicine for Melancholy		Pachamama
	The Shaft		Soi Cowboy