Review of "Yakushima's Illusion": Vicky Krieps takes on a role in Naomi Kawase's compassionate Japanese hospital drama set on Yakushima Island.
In the heart of Japan, director Naomi Kawase's latest film, 'Yakushima's Illusion', delves into the country's unique cultural and practical landscape regarding organ donation. The drama, produced by France, Japan, Belgium, and Luxembourg, offers a compelling narrative centred around French transplant expert Corry (Vicky Krieps), who is on a job exchange at a hospital in Kobe, Japan.
The film contrasts intense and anxious performances, particularly from Krieps, with the open-hearted energy of the children, and between the calm and hyper-focused energy of the operating theatre and the restless and unpredictable nature of the weather. Kawase uses these contrasts to highlight the emotional and ethical weight borne by medical professionals and families involved in pediatric transplants.
'Yakushima's Illusion' explores the selfless generosity which underpins organ donation, where for one child's life to be saved another must be lost. The narrative conveys both the altruistic and tragic dimensions of the practice, while also delicately exploring the cultural reasons for the organ donation disparity in Japan. Corry's interactions with children and their parents on the ward provide a poignant insight into the societal reticence or mystery surrounding donors.
The narrative jumps around in time, intertwining a love story between Corry and a younger man named Jin (Kanichiro). Tensions arise in their relationship, particularly concerning Jin's perceived lack of commitment. The film also features a subplot involving Corry grappling with personal grief in Paris, but this segment seems to add little to the overall complexity of the film.
The film's runtime is 122 minutes, and it is scored by Koki Nakano. Masaya Suzuki and Arata Dodo are the cinematographers for 'Yakushima's Illusion'. The production design is by Setsuko Shiokawa, and the editing is by Tina Baz. The main cast includes Vicky Krieps, Kanichiro, Machiko Ono, Kazuki Kitamura, Misaki Nakano, and Ojiro Nakamura.
International sales for the film are handled by Cinefrance International, contactable at [email protected]. The producers of the film are David Gauquié, Julien Deris, Jean-Luc Ormières, and Renan Artukmac.
'Yakushima's Illusion' provides a thought-provoking exploration of Japan's cultural hesitation and emotional complexity about organ donation, while also addressing broader social issues like disappearance and personal alienation within Japanese society. It serves as a poignant reminder of the selfless generosity required for life-saving transplants and the emotional burden it carries for all involved.
