Cast
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Takamasa Suga
as Detective Reiji Akiba
Chiaki Kuriyama
as Mikoto Hyakke
Yû Abiru
as Yuko Sasaki
Urara Awata
as Yuki Sugisaki
Leo Morimoto
as Mysterious Man
Chisato Morishita
as Mami Adachi
Kaoru Okunuki
as Sae Katayama
Yuri Mizutani
as Aya Takasaki
Fumina Hara
as Tomomi Minekura
Akira Kubo
as Art Collector
Crew
Director
- Iwao Takahashi
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Fantasy film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. MAIL presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Iwao Takahashi brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2004, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of MAIL took approximately 28 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 78 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 135 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The film contains approximately 2245 individual shots.
- The musical score contains over 76 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 2004, when this film is released:
- Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
- Digital technology was disrupting traditional media and entertainment.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: July 14, 2004
- Runtime: 1h 18m