The summer of 1945. As a "human bullet" of the Kamikaze Unit, 21-year-old "he" is inside a drum with a torpedo. While he waits, he looks back on a short adolescence, reminiscing on the harsh training, a friendly bookstore, and a girl he loved. A complement to The Emperor and a General, and based on personal experience, Okamoto comically portrays the stupidity of war as well as the sentiments of youth. Though filmed on a low budget as an independent production, the tone of the 16mm image, the dry and humorous monologues and the surreal beach scene etc. create a unique effect.
Production: Nikudan o tsukuru kai, Art Theatre Guild of Japan (ATG)
Screenplay: Okamoto Kihachi
Cinematographer: Murai Hiroshi
Editor: Araki Yoshihiro
Cast: Terada Minori, Otani Naoko, Ryu Chishu, Kitabayashi Tanie, Nakatani Ichiro, Takahashi Etsushi
Format: 35mm (shot on 16mm), black and white
Running time: 116 minutes
Language: Japanese
Photo: © 1968 A.T.G. Co., Ltd.
Text: Morimune Atsuko, catalog TOKYO FILMeX 2006
