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 ike "Uzumaki",
"Kakashi" is based upon a manga by Japanese artist Ito Junji.
There are actually a number of similarities between the two films, as both
are set in small rural towns in the Japanese countryside and both depict a
series of unexplained supernatural events. However, whilst
"Uzumaki" was a wacky affair, featuring wild special effects and
odd transformations, "Kakashi" takes a very different route,
focusing instead on atmosphere and melodrama, recalling more adult films
such as "Inugami".
The film is more of a mood
piece, and for the main characters, the transformation is emotional rather
than physical. As a result, the film does not resemble what is generally
expected from a manga adaptation and is both more and less than its source
material. On one hand, it lacks the pulpy entertainment value and exciting
cartoon shocks; whilst on the other, it stands apart as a mature, often
beautiful piece of cinema. "Kakashi" also benefits from being
deeply rooted in genuine Japanese folklore, which gives it a fascinating
backdrop against which to play out its creepy and unexpectedly moving
events.
The plot follows Kaoru (Maho Nonami, "2LDK"),
a young woman investigating the disappearance of her brother, Tsuyoshi
(Shunsuke Matsuoka, "Freeze
Me"). After searching his apartment, she finds a letter from his
supposedly dead girlfriend begging him to visit her in the remote mountain
village of Kozukata. Kaoru arrives in the village in the middle of their
annual scarecrow festival, and is given little help from the odd
inhabitants in looking for her brother. The longer she stays in the
village, the more she becomes aware that something very strange is
happening, seemingly connected with the creepy scarecrows that seem to out
number the people. After stubbornly staying on to investigate further,
Kaoru finally locates Tsuyoshi's girlfriend, Izumi (Kou Shibasaki, "Battle
Royale"), who appears to be very much alive, albeit in a somewhat
bizarre manner. As she learns more and more about the village and the
scarecrows, Kaoru realizes that not only has she outstayed her welcome,
but also she may not be allowed to leave after all.
"Kakashi" is directed by Norio Tsuruta, who
also gave us "Ring
0", and more recently, the female samurai flick "Sky
High". As with both of those films, Tsuruta seems far more
concerned with character development than action. Fortunately, this
approach fits "Kakashi" far better than either of the other
films mentioned, and his investment in the characters really pays off,
giving the events and the admittedly fairly marginal horror elements both
an emotional core and a greater impact than they would otherwise have had.
This is true of the smaller roles in the film as well, as the villagers
are kept as realistic human beings instead of quirky oddities.
Thankfully, the actors in the film are up to the
task, especially Nonami, who generates a great deal of sympathy as Kaoru,
and Shibasaki, who displays touches of the same fury she has shown in past
roles. As well as his characters, Tsuruta creates a wonderfully
understated and creepy atmosphere. The cinematography is truly beautiful,
really bringing the village and surrounding countryside to life with a
sense of its isolation, sadness and mystery. Tsuruta does this
unobtrusively and skillfully, with both sweeping pans of the scenery and
patient, static shots of the old buildings. This attention to detail pays
off, and the viewer really feels transported to this sinister, yet
picturesque region along with Kaoru.
The fact that the scarecrow celebration is a very
real event, called the 'Kakashi Festival', which takes place in the town
of Yamagata during the Autumn of each year, gives the film a real boost,
making the supernatural elements all the more plausible. The downside to
this is that "Kakashi" is undeniably a slow moving film, and one
in which there is very little in the way of visceral thrills. Although the
scarecrows are quite creepy, they don't actually do a great deal, and
those expecting death scenes or sudden shocks will be sorely disappointed.
Similarly, the ending of the film may come as an
anti-climax, or for those who have not embraced the film's emotional core,
it may make little sense. Either way, there is a fair chance that less
patient viewers, or those who do not appreciate films which build
gradually and subtly, may well be bored and mystified. Viewers who are
looking for action or disposable thrills should not even consider watching
"Kakashi", as they will gain nothing from the experience.
However, those who enjoy deliberately paced, mournful films that focus on
mood and character are likely to be entertained and satisfied, as this is
one of the better examples of the last few years.
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