Cast
View All
Ken Watanabe
as Ono Masuji
Ryoko Hirosue
as Murakami Setsuko
Aki Maeda
as Ono Noriko
Kokoro Terada
as Murakami Setsuko
Masato Wada
as Murakami Soichi
Masato Hagiwara
as Kuroda
Daichi Watanabe
as Enchi
Kouhei Takeda
as Miyake Jiro
Ryuta Sato
as Shintaro
Natsuko Akiyama
as Madam Kawakami
Eiji Okuda
as Matsuda
Aoi Nakamura
as Ono Masuji
Shunsuke Daitoh
as Matsuda
Fumiyo Kohinata
as Moriyama Seiji
Tomoya Maeno
as Nakahara Yasunari
Crew
Director
- Kazuki Watanabe
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, An Artist of the Floating World examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Kazuki Watanabe 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 character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2019, 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 An Artist of the Floating World took approximately 21 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 89 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 141 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
- The screenplay went through 11 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The musical score contains over 72 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 2019, when this film is released:
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While An Artist of the Floating World shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Postcard Killings, which focuses more on action than character development, An Artist of the Floating World subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Lucky and Kamome Diner explore similar territory, An Artist of the Floating World stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: March 30, 2019
- Runtime: 1h 29m
Where to Watch
