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Dan Watt's avatar

A wonderful article Sam! Dedigitising my life has become something of a passion for me though I say that somewhat ironically as I sit here typing on my laptop.

The analogue touches you describe and the simplicity of life without digital intrusion sound beautiful. Combine that with my long-standing dream of living in Japan, and you’ve completely sold me on watching the film as soon as possible.

I had fun diving into the comments too. I immediately picked up on the Call Me by Your Name vibes, especially in how people described the stillness and ‘nothingness’ of the film. That quiet, subtle energy is something I particularly enjoy.

Thanks again for the thoughtful recommendation. I’m really looking forward to seeing where it takes me.

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polytropos's avatar

I watched this with my mum on her suggestion, and as we were watching it she kept anticipating that something big would happen. I told her I don't think it's that kind of film, but while I was relaxed, she was anxious. its funny how differently we experienced the same thing. I loved it and she was underwhelmed

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Sam Holden's avatar

That’s interesting. A lot of Japanese films have very little going on and I absolutely love the style, the have also watched some with people who had a totally different reaction

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Anandi Mishra's avatar

To be frank, I didn’t like the movie so much. It felt like it was stating the obvious in a too obvious way. But I loved reading your essay! Thanks for this!

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Sam Holden's avatar

Thanks for reading! A fair assessment of the film I think.

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Vanessa Shields's avatar

This film is a treasure.

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Baird Brightman's avatar

Good writing, Sam! I like the way you take the analog/digital mode beyond its concrete tech meaning to a more symbolic paradigm for how we engage with the world around us. Made me think about how permeable our membrane is between inside and outside.

I've had that movie on my wish list for months and keep not watching it. I wonder what that's about? Probably fear it won't live up to my expectations because the main theme is so meaningful to me.

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Sam Holden's avatar

Thanks! I’m glad to see this is suddenly getting more reads. I think the film definitely lends itself to being seen through an urbanist lens

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Helen Scott Davis's avatar

I LOVE this movie!!! The simplicity and beauty break your heart and, at the same time, make you love everything about it!

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Caroline Howard's avatar

I like your encapsulation of the analogue city as a place of "porous thresholds and serendipitous encounters." I try to relate to the city in this way.

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LvS's avatar

i'm sure perfect days had you at the bath house scenes, but what a lovely movie! and how cool it was your friend's bath house! it reminds me of wender's early films, which i adored. i think of them as masterpieces, in that one has complete trust in the way they unfold, and this one too, or at very least they're perfect for me

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Kristin Newton's avatar

This is such a brilliant movie! One of the best I’ve ever seen.

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