“Nobody Knows” and “Maboroshi”: Films about Pain and Struggle

These twain Japanese occupys were tell by the critically acclaimed director Hirokazu Koreida. Both films were healthy accepted by the general public. These 2 films also garnered numerous awards and are known for their obligate write uplines. Film critics around the world praised these 2 films on on the nose astir(predicate) either depgraphicsment. Maboroshi was released in 1995, while goose egg Knows was released in 2004. There is a broad gap between the times these two movies were released, but director Hirokazu Koreida neer helpless his modality and vision in film making.Maboroshi is Koreidas archetypal film. It revolves around the life of a woman named Yomiko. After her husband committed suicide, she was left miser adequate to(p) and alone. She postulated to put the past behind as she was consumed by pain and depression. As she struggles to battle her own insecurities, regrets and doubts, she is forced to settlement the inexplicable cause for her grief thro ugh with(predicate) an yettual renewal of extol and companionship. It seems that Yumiko cannot escape the ghost of the past.Yet, she has renewed hope and comfort in the arms of another man. She decided to marry this man who is a fisherman. This man was disordered after a storm came while he was fishing at the sea. After his return, Yomiko was never the very(prenominal). Her doubts and fears have consumed her. She was also troubled with anxiety. She was stuck in the past, lost in thoughts that could bring pain and depression. These are the reasons wherefore she could not amply commit herself to her second husband.The film No torso knows is a story round four children who were abandoned by their parents. The film was based on unquestionable events which took place in 1988. It was said that the actual even was more(prenominal) discourage than the movie adaptation. The story begins when a woman named Keiko abandons her young children in a shabby a activatement in an unknown J apanese city. She left her children with almost no gold for survival. Her character shows us how irresponsible parents could be.Akira, her eldest son, took the role of their parents. He had to take care of his three siblings. He tried his better(p) to be a good parent by borrowing money from people he knew and even gave gifts for his siblings during Christmas. The film gives a picture of how disenfranchised life can be in an urban setting, where life is truehearted and only the fittest would survive. The film is about the struggle of these four children in finding comfort, security, happiness and salvation.Film Analysis and ComparisonThe analysis and comparison lead be divided into three parts. The first part allow for draw rein the technical aspects of twain films. Then the second part will accept the theme and the story of some(prenominal) films. We will try to see if the two films are somewhat parallel. The last part of the analysis and comparison is about the messag e of the two films.Technical AspectsSince both films were order by the same person, they do not differ that much in terms of the technical stuff. These two films boast greatness in cinematography. The crevices were meticulously framed and scenes were carefully orchestrated. The lighting in both films helped a cumulation in accentuating the image and emotion that a certain scene elicits. This was more evident in Maboroshi.The film has a distinct imagery which was achieved by the contrast of colors and proper lighting effects. There are scenes from the film that very looks manage a canvass. The primary colors came in very effectively to suck up certain objects. An example would be the moving vehicles which brings luminous contrast. Even just the small details comparable the pink ball thrown by a child, the illuminated rooms bathed in light, and the blue paint in fishing boats were are all captivating. The film is pleasing to the eye. The scenes from this film were shot from a distance, making it more like a piece of artwork.This actually makes the hearing feel distant from the characters and the story. Maboroshi could be described as an art film that is crafted by a master artist. Just like Maboroshi, aught Knows can also be called an art film. It is quite a different because it is like a documentary. The film feels more like a documentary on the story of the four abandoned children rather than a regular film. It is quite noticeable that there are only few dialogues in both films. Certain scenes are actually shot pretty long and tv camera movement was seldom.The sparse dialogue and minimalist production actually worked well with Nobody Knows because it made the film more authentic. The movies softened pace and quietness made the plot build up more emotional. The sets close quarters and bright lighting puts emphasis on the closing off and loneliness of the childrens apartment. The documentary style of filming that was employed in this film allowed th e audience to see things from the childrens point of view.Both films were well directed and the actors gave a wonderful performance. Since dialogue was sparse in both films, the body movement and facial expression of the actors had to play a big part in the story telling. We should applaud the actors in both films because they de make outred well in this department. A number of them actually garnered acting awards. Yuya Yugira (Akira) from Nobody Knows won ruff actor at the Cannes Film Festival. He was only a beginner at that time. Koreida revealed the emotions and thoughts of his characters through the use of body movement and facial expressions. Emotions could be felt even by just looking at the look of the children. The best directors simply know how to use this style. The connection between the characters and the audience is the grand result of these stylistic choices.The Story and ThemeIf we look deeper into these two films, we will notice that their respective themes are qu ite parallel. Maboroshi and Nobody Knows both talk about pain and struggle. These two themes are the driving forces of the two films. If we look back and recall the plot of Maboroshi, we would notice that the story is about the pain and struggles that the main character (Yomiko) was going through. She was always in a situation wherein she has to confront her pain and struggles. This is the same for the movie Nobody Knows. The story was also about pain and struggle. The four abandoned kids had to go through a lot because they had irresponsible parents. The whole story was about their struggle for survival and their continuous attempt for salvation.The director employed the proper style and method to illustrate these two themes. The quietness and sparse dialogues helped a lot in relating these two themes to the audience. This is also the same reason why the two films are somewhat depressing. Although its necessary that films about these themes should be injustice and gloomy, the use of contrast and a little bit of humor could lighten be effective. Director Hirokazu Koreida was successful in utilizing this style.In Maboroshi, he apply contrast of colors to bring light into the overall mood of the story. He made the audience see beauty amidst the gloom that surrounds the film. In Nobody Knows, he used a bit of humor and optimism that is quite unforeseen in the worst of situations. There was a part when one of the kids had these uneven squeaking shoes which could represent the privilege of finding hope as they leave their shelter for the first time.The two films are about the familiar concept of pain. They explore the emotion that makes us human. The question on how to bring with it is actually answered in the two films.MessageMaboroshi is a Japanese record book that loosely translates to illusory light. It is an incomprehensible mirage that occasionally unveils itself along the waves of the sea, leading umpteen curious sailors to their impending doom. It s origin is still a mystery. Nobody knows why men are lured by its worldly promises. There are things in this world that cannot be explained. There are events that are incomprehensible. It only reminds us of our limitations and our humanity. The lesson that we can draw from the film is that there tragedies and misfortunes in life that we cannot outright understand, but this does not mean that we should give up on our search for redemption and recovery. One must learn to accept these tragedies to be able to move on with life.The message that we can draw from Nobody Knows is alike to Maboroshi. The film shows us that there is hope amidst the worst of situations. Akira showed courage and devotion, even though it seemed that the weight of the world is upon him. The four siblings showed determination to survive, hoping that someday they will find a place in the harsh world they live in.Maboroshi and Nobody Knows were crafted artistically. They are unique, full of emotion, and captivati ng. They reach through the hearts of the audience, beseeching for sympathy and compassion. These two films are undeniably deserving of the praise and wisdom they have received.