Review Movie: Single8 (2023)
Single8, directed by KONAKA Kazuya, is a captivating blend of coming-of-age drama and science fiction that transports viewers to Japan in the late 1970s. The story follows Hiroshi (played by UEMURA Yu)–a high school student enraptured by the magic of Star Wars–who began a project to create his sci-fi film using an 8mm camera.
Background
Before talking about the plot and other aspects of Single8, I want to start this post by explaining how I started watching this film.
While I am a fan of many Japanese cultures, especially its entertainment industry, watching Japanese films is not something I do often. For starters, unlike anime and Korean dramas which are often available to watch for free on popular streaming services such as Viu and Bilibili, Japanese movies are kind of hard to find here in my area–unless, you know, you dig into illegal streaming sites or pirated DVDs.
I also don’t subscribe to paid streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video, and it’s not like Japanese movies–especially non-mainstream ones like Single8–are often broadcast outside their region (this is me complaining to Viki and Kocowa).
So, film festivals, cultural events, and cinemas are usually my only go-to when it comes to Japanese movies. The same thing applies to Single8 and a dozen other Japanese movies I’m going to review after this.
For those who haven’t heard the news yet, the Japan Foundation is currently holding a film festival called Japanese Film Festival (JFF) Online 2024. It started on June 5th and will last until June 19th (for movies) and July 3rd (for dramas). It’s free, and you can watch it online too, so you don’t need to travel to your city’s cinema, or–in my case, oftentimes–book a train ticket to a whole other city. They also provide multi-language subtitles, which is always a great thing to have when watching foreign films.
Therefore, if you’re like me, who is always up for more Japanese culture intake but currently has no money nor time to spend on visiting offline film festivals, JFF Online 2024 will be probably a good option for you to choose.
Visit the website, create your new account, and you can watch any film they offer any time you want. Happy watching!
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| From left to right: Yoshio, Hiroshi, Sasaki, and Natsumi, taking a photo after shooting their film. (Single8 Film Partner) |
Plot
Let’s get back to the film review. 😉
As I’ve described a bit at the beginning of this post, Single8 is a film about a group of high school students who put their utmost effort into creating a sci-fi movie together.
Unfortunately, being a high school student with limited resources and knowledge, Hiroshi–the main character–had to go through the many challenges of amateur filmmaking. Instead of using CGI, which most filmmakers nowadays probably do, Hiroshi and his friends had to exhaust their creativity in many aspects of the project, from building a convincing spaceship to crafting a compelling script.
They even have to prepare a presentation for their classmates to assure them that making a sci-fi film for their yearly cultural festival is a feasible thing to do. ❤️🔥
Through this journey, Hiroshi and his friends learn the importance of storytelling and themes that can resonate with their audiences. The involvement of Natsumi (played by TAKAISHI Akari), a classmate who joins the project as their heroine, also adds depth and authenticity to their ambitious project.
Through trial and error, they learn about collaboration, passion, and the art of filmmaking in an era still so lacking in digital conveniences.
Characters
The characters in Single8 are, no doubt, very relatable for those who have ever pursued a creative dream. Here are some notes I took while watching the film and what I think about each character.
KURITA HIROSHI
The main protagonist, Kurita Hiroshi, is a high school student who has had a love for filmmaking since middle school. He has already made some short movies before, though they still lack in terms of plot and character growth.
He is a shy boy and was reluctant at first to share his vision with his dreams. But as the story progressed, Hiroshi managed to find confidence in showing his aspiration to the people around him. With the help of his friends and teacher, he is also able to upgrade his filmmaking skills, from not knowing anything about directing, to being able to draft a solid plot and neat storyboard.
YAMASHITA NATSUMI
Natsumi is a girl in Hiroshi’s class, someone he has a crush on. Natsumi is portrayed as a very energetic girl, who puts her best effort into everything she does. That’s why she refused to be the heroine of Hiroshi’s film at first because she saw that Hiroshi hadn’t gotten any concrete details or vision about the film he was making.
However, after seeing how Hiroshi and his friends presented their ideas to the class, she finally relented and agreed to be their film’s heroine. Being the only girl in the group, their interactions were so awkward in the beginning but gradually warmed up after spending a lot of time together working on the same project.
OZAWA YOSHIO
Yoshio is a long-time friend of Hiroshi and has played the male lead in Hiroshi’s other films, including the new project. He is a sweet boy who wholeheartedly supports Hiroshi’s passion for filmmaking, always showing great reactions to Hiroshi’s ideas and visions.
Played by FUKUZAWA Noa, Yoshio is probably my favorite character in the movie. I like the fact that Yoshio never underestimates Hiroshi’s dreams, no matter how impossible it seems to be. Instead, he consistently encourages his friend to step up and loyally stand behind Hiroshi to back him up anytime he needs.
SASAKI
Sasaki is another friend of Hiroshi who voluntarily joined their filmmaking project. Similar to Hiroshi, Sasaki is also a movie enthusiast, even though he doesn’t know anything about shooting a film in the beginning. He is the voice of reason in Hiroshi’s group, supplying them with feedback and criticism, especially when they begin to make the first draft of the project.
Played by KUWAYAMA Ryuta, Sasaki also takes the role of Hiroshi’s production assistant. Under Hiroshi’s guidance, he learns the basics of filmmaking, like using cameras and preparing their scene backdrops. There is a scene when Hiroshi finally lets him direct a scene alone for the first time, and it was such a heartwarming moment to see his proud smile after that 🤗
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| Hiroshi and his friends, shooting their first scene of their sci-fi film project. (Single8 Film Partner) |
Setting
Single8’s setting is meticulously crafted to evoke the late 1970s in Japan, a time when mobile phones were still something out of reach for most common people. The film also paid a lot of attention to other period details, such as retro clothing, hairstyles, and even the vintage 8mm camera equipment.
The filmmakers' dedication to authenticity is even more evident in the scenes depicting the group's efforts to construct a believable spaceship and other sci-fi elements like lightning or explosion.
It proved to us that advanced technology and expensive equipment are not important in the art of making sci-fi films. Instead, creativity is. This nostalgic backdrop not only becomes the story’s charm but also underscores the immense effort and ingenuity required to produce a film in that period.
Message
At its core, Single8 is a heartfelt tribute to independent filmmakers, especially those still learning the ropes. It’s a show of youthful ambition, and what we can achieve if we never give up. It highlights the relatable journey from mere fans of cinema to creators of it, pointing out that the process is as important as the final product.
The film also pays homage to the influential works of Steven Spielberg and other pioneers of the sci-fi genre, illustrating how inspiration can ignite a lifelong passion.
By showcasing the ups-and-downs of Hiroshi and his friends, Single8 reminds us that every great filmmaker starts somewhere, often with nothing more than a dream and a camera.
Recommendation
Single8 is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates coming-of-age stories, the history of filmmaking, or the sci-fi genre itself. This semi-autobiographical narrative of KONAKA Kazuya’s directing journey offers an entertaining glimpse into the origins of a filmmaker’s quest, making it especially resonant for aspiring filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts.
As a writer, I am also inspired by the message this film brings, especially when they’re talking about how important a theme is to a story. It reminds me that for us, the storytellers, what we want to say to our audiences is more important than the flashy effects or grandiose plot.
Therefore, I think that watching Single8 will be a delightful experience for many young creators out there, particularly if you’re currently feeling that your works have no impact on other people. Believe me when I say, they do. You do.
And if you’re feeling behind on your creative project, maybe Single8 can be the motivation to keep marching on to your dreams. Who cares if it seems so far away and so hard to reach right now? As long as we keep moving toward it, we will get there eventually.
Until then, happy watching, and happy creating!
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