Japon cover art

Japon Details

2002 Certificate 18
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 697 members

Assisted by a cane, the unidentified lead (Alejandro Ferretis) of JAPON limps through a desolate canyon in his trademark red flannel jacket searching for deeper meaning. He has arrived at this remote Mexican location, escaping the city to paint and find the kind of serenity only nature can provide. Here he stays with Ascen (.. Read more

Starring Alejandro Ferretis, Magdalena Flores, Carlos Reygadas Barquin
Director Carlos Reygadas Barquin
Genres Drama, World Cinema

Sign up Japon DVD

Buy From: £5.43

loading loading...

Japon cover art

Japon

Assisted by a cane, the unidentified lead (Alejandro Ferretis) of JAPON limps through a desolate canyon in his trademark red flannel jacket searching for deeper meaning. He has arrived at this remote Mexican location, escaping the city to paint and find the kind of serenity only nature can provide. Here he stays with Ascen (Magdalena Flores), an elderly woman who cooks for him and cleans his shirts. Ascen has lived on the land for forty years, but her nephew Juan Luis (Martin Serrano) is now reclaiming the land. Juan Luis intends to demolish a building which protects Ascen's modest dwelling, so he can collect money for the stones that hold up the structure. As the unidentified painter tries to get Ascen to fight for her home, he develops a sexual desire for his elderly host.
The importance of nature is prevalent throughout Carlos Reygadas' meditative work. Long, luminous takes allow thoughtful reflection as the film takes both its viewers and its protagonist on an existential journey. Adding to the languid beauty of the film is Arvo Part's moving score.

Starring Alejandro Ferretis, Magdalena Flores, Carlos Reygadas Barquin
Director Carlos Reygadas Barquin
Studio ARTIFICIAL EYE
Run time DVD: 2 hrs 9 mins
Certificate Certificate 18
Genres Drama, World Cinema
Language DVD: Spanish
Subtitles DVD: English
Released DVD: 28 Jul 2003
Production year: 2002
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (5) of Japon

    View all
  • 3 stars out of 5

    There is much to admire in writer/director Carlos Reygadas's debut feature, from the strikingly photographed landscapes to the considered exploration of both faith in modern Mexico and human frailty in isolation. The disparate elements don't quite coalesce into a satisfying story, but the relationship between widow Magdalena Flores and artist Alejandro Ferretis (who has ventured into the wilderness to commit suicide) is both touching and powerful in its simplicity, as she seeks to save his soul and he strives to prevent her grasping nephew from repossessing the hillside shack that's become her world. It's occasionally too smart for its own good, but this is essentially compassionate and involving cinema.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • "...A blast from the art-house movie past, inspired by Andrei Tarkovsky with a spiritual jolt of Robert Bresson, Reygadas' stunning first feature, JAPON, is about love, death, sex, redemption and mankind's domination over nature..."

    • Los Angeles Times
    • Posted 11 Mar 2005

  • Most helpful member's review of Japon

    View all
  • 2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Dreamlike reality

    Rather strange Mexican film about a man who goes to a village in a remote valley to kill himself. Naturalistic acting from (I presume) a mostly non-professional cast. The cinematography is great, although it isn't trying to make everything look all picture-postcard, it has a much grittier feel than that. Reminiscent of Tarkovsky.

      • SK from Edinburgh, Scotland
      • Posted 01 Aug 2004 14:22

  • Most recent members' review of Japon

    View all
  • 2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Very, very slooooooooow. Don't watch it if you're at all sleepy, as you will doze off. However, it's beautifully shot and understated, meditative and deep.

      • Rory#17 from TOTNES
      • Posted 01 Sep 2004 09:29

  • News and features

    View all
    In the Shadow of the Moon

    The 51st Times BFI 5London Film Festival

    • 16 Oct 2007

    BFI London Film Festival gets underway Thursday, with opening gala Eastern Promises (which we'll be covering when it goes on general release next week). At this stage I've seen just over 30 of the films in the programme. That's a mere drop in the ocean in a festival of this size, but it's enough to be able to pass on a few tips, as well as the odd warning! first films to sell out are always the Galas, in part because less tickets are available to the general public (this is where the festival... Read more

  • More like this

    View all
    Showing 1 to 4 of 20

    loading

Find cinemas


Rating breakdown

697 Member ratings
  • 100
34
  • 90
27
  • 80
77
  • 70
78
  • 60
108
  • 50
84
  • 40
80
  • 30
78
  • 20
89
  • 10
42

Related user collection

Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop

    • Japon

    • Japon
    • DVD: £5.43
      Free Delivery
    • RRP £19.79 (you save: 73%)
      • Assisted by a cane, the unidentified lead (Alejandro Ferretis) of JAPON limps through a desolate canyon in his trademark red flannel jacket searching for deeper meaning. He has arrived at this remote ...