VIFF 2005 Reviews

Heart, Beating In The Dark (1982), the original film, is a story about a young Japanese couple that stays in a room for rent for a night as they run from a loan shark. Throughout the hours of darkness, the couple reminisces about the old times and recalls memories of their child, who they brutally murdered. The film deals with several large issues, including the murdering of their own children by Japanese young couples at the time. Character reversal and experimental shots are sprinkled throughout the film and help push the story along. At times, one can’t help but wonder if all of the story could have happened in one night, one room. Yet, when we compare it to happenings of real life, it all becomes relevant; perhaps it is only because we are so conditioned to the media’s shortening of stories as a means to sustain our attention that we are unaccustomed to watching a film that focuses on the events of just one evening.

In Heart, Beating In The Dark (2005), the original actors reappear in their present day form. The director also introduces two new characters and includes snippets from the 81’ version. Background knowledge of the original film is incredibly helpful in understanding the sequel. The movie follows several stories: returning characters Ringo and Inako meet up for the first time in twenty-three years, and new characters Toru and Yuki experience similar issues as characters from the first movie. The sequel utilized more role reversal than the original, thereby adding to the complexity of the story. Experimental shots throughout the film once again add to the artistic aspect of the film, and with use of the DV camera (as opposed to the original shot in Hi 8), the sequel comes across as a much more enjoyable presentation.

I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with the writer and director Shunichi Nagasaki to ask him about his films. He explained that the reasoning behind the new Heart, Beating in the Dark was to witness the life passage of the actors and actresses and their progressions to this day. As for the muse of the film, Nagasaki explained that the significant amount of murders by young parents at the time inspired him to spin the phenomenon into a personal story from his perspective. Of all his films, Nagasaki claimed to have no particular favourite, because he put his whole self into every film that he makes. Currently, Nagasaki is working on a few scripts and evolving his style.

I also had the opportunity to chat with the actresses of both versions of Heart, Beating in the Dark, Shigeru Muroi ( a.k.a. Inako) from the original and Kaori Mizushima from the new. It is Muroi’s first time at VIFF, and I was pleased to hear her say that Vancouver feels like a big family that she would like to return to every year. Although Heart, Beating in the Dark deals with some dark themes, Muroi tells us that the film was nonetheless enjoyable to shoot, thanks to the light and fun atmosphere created by the staff. While Heart, Beating in the Dark (1982) was originally intended to be a small addition on her resume, Muroi’s character in the film was imprinted in the back of her mind for the past twenty-three years and therefore it was natural to slip back into character for the 2005 film.

Mizushima, featured in the 2005 production and wife of Nagasaki, has been working in the film industry for twenty-six years. Upon reading the new script, she knew she wanted to be involved with Heart, Beating in the Dark.

A story about growing up, Heart, Beating in the Dark (2005) complements its original make to question that it means to be a loving parent, among other thought-provoking themes.