The Man Who Left His Will on Film
dir. Nagisa Ōshima · 1970
Feature
Artistic Obsession
Mood
Contemplative / Melancholic
Look
stark, with a focus on urban landscapes and intimate close-ups
Structure
non-linear and fragmented, with a focus on character introspection
Plot
When a man chases down his stolen movie camera, the thief commits suicide by jumping off a building. But after the police take the camera as evidence, it becomes unclear if there was ever a thief in the first place.
Why watch
A man pursues his stolen movie camera, only to witness the thief leap to his death, leaving behind a mystery that blurs the lines of reality. As the camera becomes a symbol of artistic obsession and existential inquiry, the film invites viewers into a contemplative space where the weight of absence and the search for truth linger. Watching it feels like navigating a labyrinth of thought, where each frame challenges perceptions of art and life.
Talking points
- the role of the artist in society
- the nature of truth in storytelling
- the impact of technology on human connection
- the psychological effects of loss and absence
Cultural context
Japanese New Wave cinemapost-war existentialismthe rise of independent filmmaking in the 1970sthe impact of Western cinema on Japanese filmmakers