Makoto Ueda wrote the fantastic screenplay for Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes (2020) a microbudget indie movie directed by Junta Yamaguchi that kind of feels like a bunch of buddies just came up with this ambitious concept for a film and then just went and got it realized. There’s probably more to it of course, but it’s still impressive to see what they were able to accomplish with little more than a solid idea executed well. Narratively, it involves a simple time jump concept that steadily escalates ’till the stakes end up reaching cosmic proportions. Technically, the preparation that must have preceded the production of this seemingly uninterrupted take going from a bar to the upstairs apartment and back several times is nothing short of spectacular. While it may feel somewhat like a short that got drawn out to feature length, this whacky sci-fi mindfuck radiates pure passion and dedication to the craft. A joy to behold.
The creative duo joined forces once more for their next movie River (2023), depicting a classic Groundhog Day-like time loop situation where everything resets every couple of minutes. Set in and around a picturesque inn by a river in the mountains, this film is truly a visual feast, not only aesthetically pleasing but also cognitively satisfying as the film makers are able to instil this great sense of spatial awareness. The camera will look through a window or up a flight of stairs or down a balcony and you’ll instantly know where that is and who will pop up as you’ve experienced parts of that same action several times before which is incredibly engaging and honestly quite masterful. Endearing characters, a quirky tone and expertly timed plot twists complete the picture. Absolutely magnificent.
With the highly meta You Are the Film Ueda now debuts at the helm of his very own feature in which we follow a young lady attending a screening of a movie that seems to be intertwining with her own reality… in real-time. To disclose any more would be a sin but it’s safe to say the style of filmmaking and storytelling is on par with the aforementioned works, meaning it’s adorable and captivating and gets quite bonkers as it progresses. Fun fact from producer Takahiro Otsuki who attended the world premiere at BIFFF; the set where they shot the movie is actually their very own place of business in real life. And as with Ueda’s previous screenplays, the locale strongly inspired the writing. All of this just adds to how incredibly quaint and wholesome these productions are. Do yourself a solid, guys. Support the small players. Seek out these works of art. You won’t regret it.
