Janus Victoria’s “Spring Rhapsody” – her documentary in the making with lovely images she herself shot – was finalized yesterday. Started editing it a few weeks back. — with no script to follow. A tedious but challenging task as a film editor, but one I consider common. Tikoy Aguiluz’s “Father Balweg, The Rebel Priest,” also a documentary, shaped and formed in the same way too. In Spring though, after the images were lined up, and the structure was formed, Janus wrote to narrate her experiences during the trip. We then hear the interviewees mostly off-cam in between. Another friend of Janus cutely named Silver added shots and is responsible for the sound design and music. Nice one, I should say…
The docu is a visual essay dealing with a topic Janus wants to make into a feature film — the journey she took in Japan, the people she met to see for herself, better understand and have a deeper insight of the “kodokushi” or the lonely death phenomenon Japanese people have as part of their culture. Interesting subjects were interviewed, featuring an amazing woman artist named Ami, a photographer, a musician in the park, an elderly woman who wishes a painless death, and most importantly, the kodokushi cleaners.
Setting is Japan.
Journey ni Janus. That is how I describe it. Kodokushi segments maybe culturally shocking to some though; with life and death metaphorically paralleled with spring and autumn. However, journeying with Janus will surely be a wonderful and memorable experience.
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