L'Ilya
Tomoya Sato, Canada 2000
Runtime: 39min
Awards: 1 win
Language: Japanese
Story:
In the near future, apathy and decadence dominate human soul, committing suicides is no matter like it's a kind of fashion. L'Ilya, a female video producer, creates video clips featuring the moments actually people kill themselves, retouching the images with colors and music. Such a sensational subject gradually makes her an outstanding artist... The title "L'Ilya'' is French word stands for "existence".
Three Comments:
L'ILYA is a disturbing and powerful film. Reminiscent of the films of Nacho (AFTERMATH) Cerda for the calm of its violence, the emotions it confronts and the clinical frigidity it portrays, L'ILYA addresses in a voyeuristic (and frequently ironic) manner the topic of suicide (every generation included), a difficult subject, that is nonetheless quite pertinent in contemporary Japanese cinema. Its characters ask if one needs a reason to die, a question that certainly comes with its own unique baggage. With this film, Tomoya Sato avoids a moralistic standpoint and easy manipulations. His film lies more within the brutal disillusionment of humanity, and is a question placed on our natural fascination with death. Visually superb and extremely realistic (witness the painful sequence where a woman slits her wrists) yet nonetheless bursting with poetry (it is also a beautiful love story), L'ILYA is a film that troubles. Directed by a young filmmaker of unquestionable talent, this is the first time L'ILYA will be shown in the western world. It was recently was presented at the YUBARI FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL in Japan, where it won the Special Jury Prize (Off Theatre section). It is a proud representative from a new wave of true alternative cinema that will leave no one indifferent.
(Julien Fonfrede / Director of Programming, Fantasia, Asian Section)
Tomoya Sato's movie ILYA gets you not to take eyes off from his works!
(Vincenzo Natali / Director, "Cube" "Cypher")
L'Ilya is a beautiful, melancholic film/poem that expertly plunges into the perverse territory of death obsession and the frightening yet fascinating detatchment that youth can feel today towards horror. A profound and beautifully directed film, Sato is one of the most interesting and brave directors of the new wave of Japanese cinema.
(Karim Hussain / Director, "Subconscious Cruelty" "Ascension")
About Tomoya Sato (Independent Japanese Filmmaker):
Born in Tokyo on 9th of June, 1964. Had involved in filmmaking while his university days, later worked as the optical effect technician of TV programs. His first 16mm work "Marehito'' experienced a theatrical release, then was showed at Yubari International Adventure Fantastic Film Festival and Michinoku International Mystery Film Festival in 1998. The second film "L'Ilya" was awarded the Special Jury Prize at Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival in 2001. After that "L'Ilya" has been shown at Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (Korea), Fantasia Film Festival (Canada), etc.
Not my rip. Thanks to HunJP who uploaded it at FSS. Enjoy! |
