A while back, I saw a movie called “Miharashi Sedai” at Bunkamura Le Cinema Shibuya Miyashita. While I was there, my eyes were captivated by the beautiful pamphlet for The FALL that was displayed. A vivid blue sky, pure white clouds reflected on the water’s surface, five uniquely and strangely dressed men, and the word “FALL” seemingly dropping from above. With the tagline, “A stunningly beautiful, breathtaking <visual poem> art experience,” I knew I absolutely had to see this movie.
Last Sunday morning, I immediately headed to Bunkamura, but to my surprise, the morning and afternoon screenings were already fully booked, with only the 7 PM showing available. I was pretty disappointed and ended up giving up. Bunkamura Le Cinema usually shows more independent films, so this was quite a shock! Today, I made sure to reserve my ticket in advance before coming.
The movie’s story is relatively simple. Roy, a stuntman who sustained a serious injury and is deep in despair due to a heartbreak, harbors suicidal thoughts. He meets Alexandra, a young girl hospitalized in the same facility. Becoming close with Alexandra, he creates a fantastical story to pique her interest, hoping she’ll retrieve medicine for his suicide. The narrative unfolds as this imagined story is visualized.
What I found amazing about this film was how the fantastical story, set amidst the unique and beautiful landscapes of World Heritage Sites, felt overwhelmingly real despite being a product of imagination. One reason I felt this way was probably because several World Heritage Sites that had personally left a strong impression on me appeared in the movie. Specifically, places like the Banks of the Seine in Paris, the Historic Centre of Prague, the Great Wall of China, and Angkor Wat were featured. But what really stimulated my memories was seeing so many of the Indian World Heritage Sites I recently visited, such as Fatehpur Sikri, the Taj Mahal, and Agra Fort.
Furthermore, the costume designs, which were just as stunning as the World Heritage landscapes, also played a significant role in highlighting the film’s visual beauty. Outfits reflecting ethnic cultures and contemporary costumes with vivid color palettes contributed to the unique worldview portrayed in the film.
For me, it was less about enjoying the story and more about reveling in the overwhelming visual beauty. It’s definitely a film best enjoyed on the big screen.
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