Sep. 12, 2009|Japan|93 Min.|n/A
Genre: Comedy;Fantasy
Description: The story begins in a barren desert, with a car slowly approaching on a dusty road. This setting resembles scenes from “Breaking Bad” or any film set in the dry landscapes of the southern United States. However, the focus soon shifts to a Mexican household. The father, a professional wrestler who never removes his mask, is preparing for the most crucial match of his life.
On the other side of the world, a Japanese man awakens in a peculiar, all-white, windowless room. The walls are covered with countless small protrusions shaped like penises. When the man touches one, an item appears in the room. While bizarre, this is only the beginning of an increasingly strange and thought-provoking series of events. The connection between the Japanese man and the Mexican wrestler is left for the audience to uncover, with the former serving as the core of the narrative.
The story explores themes of time, space, and human ingenuity, evoking elements of science fiction. The isolated man’s struggle to understand his captivity creates an atmosphere reminiscent of films like “Cube 2: Hypercube” (2002). The narrative alternates between these two storylines, interspersed with brief anime-inspired sequences that engage the viewer directly.
The film’s playful and creative approach to storytelling draws parallels to the Japanese new wave of the 1960s and the subsequent new wave two decades later. Yet, director Matsumoto’s unique style remains distinctly his own. The tone and creativity echo films such as “Tokyo Drifter” (1966) and “Tampopo” (1985), blending humor and philosophical depth in a way that is both entertaining and reflective.
Cast director: Hitoshi Matsumoto
Cast actor: Hitoshi Matsumoto, David Quintero, Carlos C. Torres, Luis Accinelli, Lilian Tapia, Ivana Wong, Adriana Fricke, Salam Diagne, Arkangel De La Muerte, Matcho Panpu
Original name: しんぼる