Glassy Ocean: Kujira no Chouyaku (1998)

In cinematography, there are works that, from the very first seconds, immerse you in a world where logic gives way to pure poetry. The 1998 short film «A Whale on a Glass Wave» by Tamura Shigeru is precisely such a piece. It's an invitation to a unique dimension, created at the intersection of fantasy and deep inner experience. The director invites the viewer to detach from familiar reality and find themselves in a realm where the laws of nature are rewritten, and miracles become commonplace.

Plot

The world of «A Whale on a Glass Wave» is woven from amazing images: green glass waves rush towards a lime-green sky, and flying fish can be collected with bare hands. Translucent sea creatures are ready to sing if you just light a bonfire on the crest of a wave. But the central event of this world is the phenomenal jump of a whale emerging from the water. This jump doesn't last a moment; it freezes in the air for a full six hours. During this time, the motionless, hovering enormous body of the whale becomes a center of attraction for people: old friends meet around it, memories come alive, dates are made. This majestic image awakens something better in every soul: serenity, peace, and the opportunity to remember something important, long forgotten.

Why It's Worth Watching

• Visual Originality: The film offers a unique visual style, creating an unparalleled, surreal atmosphere.
• Metaphor of Time: The whale's jump, frozen for six hours, is a powerful metaphor for stopped time, allowing a new perspective on the value of human connections.
• Emotional Resonance: The short film promises to bring serenity, peace, and awaken forgotten memories.
• Intimacy of Format: As a short film, it concentrates the idea, allowing for a deep immersion into its poetic universe.
• Tamura Shigeru's Authorial Style: Director Tamura Shigeru is known for his ability to create meditative and profound works.

Themes

«A Whale on a Glass Wave» explores profound themes of the connection between humanity and the extraordinary. It's a reflection on time, memory, nostalgia, and the power of shared experience capable of uniting people. The film speaks of finding peace and serenity in a world full of wonders, and the ability of a natural phenomenon to awaken the best in souls, reminding us of the fundamental truths of existence.

Editor's Opinion

«A Whale on a Glass Wave» is that rare gem in short cinema that invites the viewer to immerse themselves in a state of deep contemplation and visual delight. Tamura Shigeru's 1998 work is a poem on screen, speaking of how one extraordinary event can become a catalyst for collective self-discovery and the attainment of harmony. We recommend this film to everyone who appreciates auteur cinema, seeks something more than entertainment in art, and is ready to open their heart to a gentle but powerful metaphor about the beauty of the world and the human soul.