Minatomachi (2018) User Reviews

Desolation Row

[neilahunter · 7/10 · 11 March 2019]

A surprisingly mesmerising, low-key portrait of a small (and evidently dying) community. First half contains an elongated, but fascinating, depiction of the fishing business. from boat to mouth (cats' mouths, as it happens), out of the Wiseman playbook. Second half focusses more on the lonely life of a local character. In its quiet way, it's really very good.

Rightly paced slice of life film.

[Sachin_Chavan · 9/10 · 1 April 2019]

Some feel this was too long and could have been edited better. For me, it's prolonged shots is what brought this film alive - remember we are dealing with old age, and decay of a rural lifestyle. It happens slow. The pace is therefore just right. Anything faster and it would be too fleeting. You feel the lives of the characters and their lifestyles, their struggles and their effort to make peace with their struggles.

A vital cinematic voice

[digs5446 · 10/10 · 2 April 2019]

So good. Beautiful, film-like, digital noise serving visually as fine grain overlaying black and white photography of this small and amazing place and the people who call it home.

so tranquil, so honest

[digs5446 · 10/10 · 7 April 2019]

After watching this film I am instantly a huge fan of Soda Kazuhiro. Thank you MUBI.

So good. Beautiful, film-like, digital noise serving visually as fine grain overlaying black and white photography of this small and amazing place and the people who call it home.