(Haru) (1996)

Seeking true connection is what we all want to be able to do...

The film, although filmed almost 30 years ago, remains completely relevant.

The two characters form a sincere online friendship without ever having met. They get to know each other through the emails they send each other. Despite the lies, the sometimes long-awaited answers, they manage to prolong their friendship because of the unconditional acceptance of the other.
Perhaps this acceptance was facilitated by the fact that they never met, the lies are forgiven more quickly because they do not have to confront their feelings of shame or guilt face to face.
The film could have been better made, however I always loved how most Japanese films and dramas of the 90s face the daily life. I really admire the fact that often the ordinariness is made less unbearable than in reality. There is a lot of comfort in what the film gives us but also a sadness that is ... accepted.
We can still lead our life in a courageous way, it can still harbor a form of beauty that belongs to us, even if our life is not full of exceptional events, of constant adventures...
Continuing to live is already an exceptional act, we carry within us magic much more than life carries, and we don't always see it.

We all have responsabilities and boreness in our life, and that's okay, we all go through this sentiment of feeling stuck in the same daily routine of our lives. But yet, there is still a space where you can find beauty in it.
It is increasingly difficult to form real relationships in our daily lives in our increasingly individual societies, and having to communicate via email or social networks now is both sad, perhaps even tragic, but also allows us to find a certain sense of hope.

The real beauty of this film is in the characters' innocent and powerful will to see the best in each other, and to maintain a constant connection between them despite obstacles. Their willingness to connect is very pure.
I also really like how the movie normalizes the feeling of loneliness. At no point is there any motivation of sensationalizing the fact of choosing to be alone or to isolate oneself. The film doesn't try to make the spectators sad or to feel sorry for the characters, but to understand them and accept their choice of life. Sometimes choosing to isolate oneself is not a dramatic thing, but simply a choice of living to gain some respite, to not have to suffer so intensely in front of the world which continues to move forward, that same world who prentend to not see you or how you feel.

Seeking a true connexion, feeling seen and heard, accepted and cherished is what we all want to be able to do. Don't we ?

Read More