Kyodai Koguma: A weird, fuzzy fever dream

Is this worth your time?

Honestly, maybe. If you like movies that feel like they are happening in real-time, specifically when that time is 3:00 AM on a Tuesday, then go for it. If you need a plot that actually moves, or if you get annoyed by long shots of tall grass, you will probably hate this.

Kyodai Koguma isn't trying to be a blockbuster. It feels more like a home movie shot by someone with a very expensive camera and a weird obsession with forest shadows.

The bear, of course

The bear is massive. It doesn't really do much besides stand there and look kind of bored, which is actually the best part. Most movies would have the creature roaring or smashing things every five minutes.

Here, the bear just exists. It’s like watching a giant, furry mountain decide whether or not it wants to eat a tree. The silence in those scenes is almost heavy.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Kyodai koguma (1932) through its definitive frames.

Some thoughts from the notebook

• There is a shot of a tea kettle that lasts for about forty seconds too long. I think the editor fell asleep at the desk.
• The sound design is just wind and heavy breathing. My living room felt colder by the end.
• The villagers look like they are constantly about to say something important, but then they just blink and look at the floor. It is very relatable.

It reminded me a bit of the mood in Berge in Flammen, though obviously a totally different vibe. Both films seem to think the landscape is more interesting than the actors.

There is a scene near the middle where the protagonist tries to feed the bear. The bear doesn't take the food. The character just stands there for a full minute holding a piece of bread. It’s hilariously awkward.

The movie doesn't really have a 'message.' It just ends. I checked my phone to see if the stream had cut out. Nope, that was just the credits rolling over a shot of a muddy puddle.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even a particularly good story. But it sticks to your ribs like cold oatmeal, and I kind of respect that.

If you want high-octane thrills like Speed, stay far away. This is a movie for people who like to stare at the wall and think about nothing for an hour or two. 🐻