Hotamaru Days (2016)

I can see the artistic intent, but it was too uncomfy for me

I went in relatively blind. All I knew was that it was a dance arthouse film with no dialogue, and relatively sapphic undertones at times.

My very first thought coming in was that the sound was very much ASMR-quality. Personally, the only sounds I liked was the pen scratching the paper and the sounds related to the water. Everything else was quite uncomfy. Even the background music that would show up from time to time put me on edge - and I didn't get the impression that it was supposed to. Visually it was rather off-putting too. I was prepared for it to go a body horror route at any minute, but it always stopped short of it.

Without reading the description, I was wondering if these 4 women in white that the house's resident can't see were actually an embodiment of her random impulsive thoughts as she went about her daily tedium and musician's block. They gave off a very "last brain cell" vibe. I did wind up reading the description a few minutes in and was able to shift my view on them pretty quickly. They're spirits. Spirits that are caught up in all the childlike wonder of their senses. Sounds. Smells. Sights. Textures. They got excited over each new discovery, getting swept away by their implications. Sometimes dangerously (and creepily) so.

I liked the overall story, but was left with questions (that the director's interview mostly cleared up). And I didn't like some of the choices made in the story's portrayal - even once i got past the sounds. Nonetheless, the spirits' smiles were semi-contagious and the contemporary dance sequences were pleasing to watch.

At least the musicians' house is temporarily cleaned of its build up of regular human detritus?

Read More