14/18
The film follows a singer who suddenly dies on tour in Japan, but her spirit lives on as she embarks on a journey to find humanity in the afterlife. The Singapore premiere, which also marks the film’s Southeast Asian premiere, is set to be co-presented at the 40th edition of vOilah! French Film Festival and Singapore International Film Festival. Spirit World is a multi-layered film that explores two very human impulses. One, the creative instinct that drives artists, and the other, the emotional need for family ties. At the very beginning of the film, we are introduced to three characters who have lost touch with both of these defining impulses. Singer-songwriter Claire (Deneuve), Yuzo (Sakai) – a former songwriter turned piano tuner – and his estranged son Hayato (Takenouchi), an anime director whose best acclaimed work is now seemingly behind him. For these three characters, it takes decisions and actions taken in death and the afterlife to find a solution to unresolved life issues. This is, of course, a very idealized perspective on this universal question – what happens after we die? Spirit World answers this question in a very realistic, matter-of-fact way. By abandoning the fear of the unknown and making the choice to help the living, selfless quests lead our characters to the fulfillment of their own humble desires. This is the life-affirming message of the Spirit World: creative impulses can bear fruit to heal family bonds when pursued with selfless intent. From a technical perspective, Spirit World ticks all the boxes for audience engagement. The delightful performances draw you in, the beautiful landscapes (and seascapes) of Takasaki and Chiba provide pure visual beauty, and it pays homage to the musical artists of the 60s and 70s, a golden age of creativity that may never be seen again. A sweet and heartfelt cinematic adventure for anyone who has felt the pull of creativity and family love.