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Director Neo Sora, who previously directed an intimate portrait Opus, about his father, delivers his narrative film debut with this intricate, mesmerizing and consistently impressive film. Co-produced by filmmaker Anthony Chen, this work combines elements of speculative critique, coming-of-age dramedy, and high school dystopia. This production combines the essence of 80s high school cinema with Lindsay Anderson’s If…, and there might even be a hint of Paul Schrader’s Mishima—minus the self-sacrifice.

A Futuristic School Backdrop

Within an educational institution in Kobe in the future, students are oppressed by nationalist biases of their elders. Recurring tremor notifications, along with real quakes, generate a widespread air of suppressed panic which the authorities believe justifies a perpetual clampdown. The prime minister regularly asserts that undesirable elements are exploiting the situation of the earthquakes to commit lawlessness.

On campus, there is an barely hidden ethnic prejudice for learners who are from diverse heritages as well as those who have alternative or defiant views.

An Act That Triggers Observation

Early one day, the administrator grows angry to find that an unknown culprit has positioned his automobile on its side within the school premises, like a Stonehenge monolith. Having cause, he suspects the youthful clique of rebels who have been encouraged by liberal teacher their mentor to hang out together in the “music research room”.

Among them are a central character, Fumi, Kou, with Korean roots, Chinese student Ming, a globally-minded learner, and the academically inclined Ata-chan.

An Orwellian Shift

Yet the glowering principal can’t prove anything, and the story leaves unclear the identity of those carried out the act or how on earth they managed it. Seeking retribution, he implements a digital observation and face-recognition system on campus, called an obvious nod to Jeremy Bentham’s panopticon.

This monitors the students’ every move leading to a serious breakdown in the school, like a collective nervous breakdown. This is especially impactful for the main students, in their case the erosion of personal freedom might mean even as they courageously oppose the authoritarian measures, they are unable to express their mutual attraction.

An Ambiguous Conclusion

This story which deliberately avoids to give us straightforward plots, clear characterisations, or direct moral lessons. The strict administrator himself could possibly not be as severe as initially portrayed. This is a visually striking, contemplative, emotional movie in which everyday youth emotions are just as significant as the societal critique.