KOMOREBI

Joel Canady / USA / 26 minutes

Synopsis

"Komorebi is a contemplative documentary that weaves together faith, nature, and culture in modern-day Japan. Spirituality, science, and tradition: the divine may be glimpsed in both the stillness of the forest and the complexity of the mind."

The word Komorebi refers to sunbeams, the sundered light one can see through foliage. It will be depicted throughout the film, first concretely in the pictures, then more and more in the speech itself— which will give the pleasant impression of a well-thought-out object, based on its title and carefully written. In this regard, the structure (with parts) hits the mark. Each one’s progression leads to the next one, in a fluid and not-boring way— something always valuable in a project that proclaims to be both documentary and contemplative!

The audience will be struck by an aesthetically-pleasing dimension off the bat. Joel Canady’s photography is quite amazing. Some of the illustration choices are predictable, sometimes too conventional; nevertheless, the execution is a treat for the eyes. Musical tracks are also well-chosen, diverse yet coherent. The editing may be this film’s biggest asset. It is rhythmic and clever, within the sequences as well as in transitions; connections between the shots themselves, thematic links from one part to another, Canady sized everything up in order to get the best possible result.

There are five real chapters, numbered on-screen. N°1 opens with religion (Shinto). N°2 goes from civilisation to the « reconnect with Nature » topic. N°3 rests on human theorisations (faith, science) to draft the Komorebi concept, with a little detour via meditation. N°4 focuses on science, with advantages of nature on the human body (emphasis on the forest, of course). N°5 gives direct interpretations of Komorebi. A N°6 entitled « The Epiphany » occurs and acts as a rather strange epilogue, since it goes beyond the documentary scope to chalk out a more personal storytelling; anyway, you’ll look past the final anecdote’s narcissistic aspect thanks to the gorgeous imagery that accompanies it. This ending turns out to be just like the whole thing: the overall address opts for a stance a little polarising (inclusion of religion/spirituality in an interpreted Nature), for a sweet and fascinating piece of work.

Conclusion

An elegant and sophisticated documentary that achieves all its goals.

C.A.

« Komorebi » joins official selection for the Little Croco Festival’s third edition, nominated in the Documentary category.

Trailer: