
Movie spotlight
Not Born Yesterday
Kenji Fukuma, who was active as a poet, film director, and critic, passed away in April 2023. This is his seventh feature film as a director. The film depicts the interaction between a 77-year-old former sailor who lost his wife and a 2nd-year middle school girl who longs for freedom from her family and school.
Insights
Plot Summary
A group of eccentric individuals, disillusioned with the modern world, decide to create their own isolated community to live by older values. However, their attempts to build a utopia quickly unravel as their idealized vision clashes with the complexities of human nature and practicality.
Critical Reception
The film received a mixed to positive reception from critics, who praised its unique premise and ambitious storytelling, though some found its execution uneven. Audiences were divided, with some appreciating its satirical edge and others finding it overly niche.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its original concept and thought-provoking themes.
Noted for its darkly comedic tone and strong performances.
Some critics found the pacing and narrative resolution to be less effective.
Google audience: Audiences generally enjoyed the film's unique and quirky nature, often highlighting the humor derived from the characters' attempts to escape modernity. However, a segment of viewers found the plot to be somewhat meandering and the characters' motivations occasionally difficult to connect with.
Fun Fact
The film was shot primarily on location in a remote rural area to enhance the sense of isolation for the characters, with much of the dialogue being improvised by the main cast.
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