This World (A Correspondence Between Naomi Kawase and Hirokazu Koreeda) 1996
This World (A Correspondence Between Naomi Kawase and Hirokazu Kore-eda) (1996) is a delicate yet profound 65-minute documentary that unfolds as an intimate dialogue between two emerging filmmakers.
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Frequently Asked Questions
What is This World (A Correspondence Between Naomi Kawase and Hirokazu Kore-eda) (1996) about?
This 1996 documentary traces a video exchange between directors Hirokazu Kore-eda and Naomi Kawase as they reflect on their artistic struggles and filmmaking processes. Through candid footage, they explore themes of creativity, isolation, and the quiet strength found in shared vulnerability.
Who directed This World (A Correspondence Between Naomi Kawase and Hirokazu Kore-eda)?
Hirokazu Kore-eda, the acclaimed Japanese filmmaker known for works like "Shoplifters" and "Still Walking," directed this intimate documentary.
Who stars in This World (A Correspondence Between Naomi Kawase and Hirokazu Kore-eda)?
The film features directors Hirokazu Kore-eda and Naomi Kawase, along with their friends and personal acquaintances who appear in their footage.
Is This World (A Correspondence Between Naomi Kawase and Hirokazu Kore-eda) (1996) worth watching?
As a short but impactful documentary from two future masters of cinema, this film offers a rare look into the creative minds of Kawase and Kore-eda. Its poetic honesty and intimate portrayal of artistic doubt make it a compelling watch for lovers of independent and Japanese cinema, even if it's not widely known.
How long is This World (A Correspondence Between Naomi Kawase and Hirokazu Kore-eda)?
The film runs for 65 minutes.
About This World (A Correspondence Between Naomi Kawase and Hirokazu Kore-eda) (1996) — A poetic documentary on filmmaking and friendship
This World (A Correspondence Between Naomi Kawase and Hirokazu Kore-eda) (1996) is a delicate yet profound 65-minute documentary that unfolds as an intimate dialogue between two emerging filmmakers. Through a back-and-forth exchange of personal footage, Kore-eda and Kawase explore the raw, unfiltered essence of their creative struggles. Kore-eda questions the very act of filming, musing on what the camera truly captures—echoes of his inner emptiness woven into his work. Meanwhile, Kawase turns her lens toward her everyday surroundings, capturing quiet moments with friends who offer unwavering support. The result is a visually poetic meditation on artistic doubt, collaboration, and the search for meaning through the lens of cinema.
Captured in grainy, vérité-style footage, the film pulses with an atmosphere of vulnerability and authenticity. The mutual trust between the directors shines through their honest reflections, creating a dialogue that feels as much about friendship as it does about filmmaking. Themes of solitude and solidarity intertwine, painting a portrait of two artists navigating the uncertainties of their craft in a world that often feels indifferent to their persistence. For cinephiles and aspiring filmmakers alike, this early collaboration offers a rare glimpse into the creative process of two masters-in-the-making.