Analysis: Johatsu - Into Thin Air
May 15, 2024
Cine
DOK.Fest Munich 2024
Documentary
as Part of:
English
JOHATSU - INTO THIN AIR
Germany, Japan 2024 – Directed by: Andreas Hartmann, Arata Mori – Original language: Japanese – Subtitles: German, English – Duration: 86 min.
In Johatsu (蒸発 – “Evaporation”), directors Arata Mori and Andreas Hartmann delve into the hidden reality in Japan, where approximately 100,000 people disappear each year. Some of these individuals utilize "Night Moving Companies" to escape unhappy relationships, while others struggle to cope with immense societal pressure or seek to extricate themselves from criminal entanglements.
The film compellingly illustrates how a fresh start often begins in isolation, raising urgent questions about personal identity. Mori and Hartmann not only provide insight into the obscure practice of disappearing but also explore the complexities of human nature.
As I watched Johatsu, I found the world described in the film completely unfamiliar and almost imaginary or artifical. The countless reasons why people in Japan choose to disappear fascinated and shocked me at the same time. I was particularly struck by the chilling professionalism of a woman who facilitated these relocations, offering services such as suicide assistance alongside her other work. She approached her business with a stark detachment, seemingly managing it all on her own.
The collaboration between German and Japanese filmmakers in Johatsu is an extraordinary crossover, blending diverse cultural perspectives and storytelling techniques. This partnership enriches the documentary, creating a unique narrative that resonates across borders and highlights the universal struggles of those who choose to disappear.
Johatsu was awarded the VIKTOR Main Competition DOK.international Award, captivating audiences with its cinematic aesthetics that vividly capture the neon-lit nights of Japan.
English
JOHATSU - INTO THIN AIR
Germany, Japan 2024 – Directed by: Andreas Hartmann, Arata Mori – Original language: Japanese – Subtitles: German, English – Duration: 86 min.
In Johatsu (蒸発 – “Evaporation”), directors Arata Mori and Andreas Hartmann delve into the hidden reality in Japan, where approximately 100,000 people disappear each year. Some of these individuals utilize "Night Moving Companies" to escape unhappy relationships, while others struggle to cope with immense societal pressure or seek to extricate themselves from criminal entanglements.
The film compellingly illustrates how a fresh start often begins in isolation, raising urgent questions about personal identity. Mori and Hartmann not only provide insight into the obscure practice of disappearing but also explore the complexities of human nature.
As I watched Johatsu, I found the world described in the film completely unfamiliar and almost imaginary or artifical. The countless reasons why people in Japan choose to disappear fascinated and shocked me at the same time. I was particularly struck by the chilling professionalism of a woman who facilitated these relocations, offering services such as suicide assistance alongside her other work. She approached her business with a stark detachment, seemingly managing it all on her own.
The collaboration between German and Japanese filmmakers in Johatsu is an extraordinary crossover, blending diverse cultural perspectives and storytelling techniques. This partnership enriches the documentary, creating a unique narrative that resonates across borders and highlights the universal struggles of those who choose to disappear.
Johatsu was awarded the VIKTOR Main Competition DOK.international Award, captivating audiences with its cinematic aesthetics that vividly capture the neon-lit nights of Japan.
