MATERIAL ECSTASY 1979
Discover MATERIAL ECSTASY (1979), a hypnotic 10-minute short film by Japanese director Toshihiko Umebayashi that transforms light and shadow into a mesmerizing dance on screen.
Director: Toshihiko Umebayashi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MATERIAL ECSTASY (1979) about?
MATERIAL ECSTASY is a 10-minute experimental short that explores the fragile beauty of light and shadow as they flicker, fade, and momentarily cohere on screen. The film captures the rhythm of illumination itself, transforming cinematic projection into a meditative performance where visuals pulse and drift like a living organism.
Who directed MATERIAL ECSTASY?
Toshihiko Umebayashi directed MATERIAL ECSTASY, bringing a precise, almost painterly approach to the medium of film that emphasizes texture and transience.
Who stars in MATERIAL ECSTASY?
Cast information for MATERIAL ECSTASY is not publicly available.
Is MATERIAL ECSTASY (1979) worth watching?
Though short, MATERIAL ECSTASY offers a uniquely immersive experience for fans of experimental cinema and abstract visual art. Its meditative pacing and striking use of light make it a compelling watch for those seeking something outside traditional narrative filmmaking.
How long is MATERIAL ECSTASY?
MATERIAL ECSTASY runs for 10 minutes.
About MATERIAL ECSTASY (1979) — A 10-Minute Visual Symphony of Light and Shadow
Discover MATERIAL ECSTASY (1979), a hypnotic 10-minute short film by Japanese director Toshihiko Umebayashi that transforms light and shadow into a mesmerizing dance on screen. Shot in a minimalist, crystalline style, the silent visuals unfold like a fleeting dream where flecks of illumination flicker and dissolve, creating an almost musical rhythm through their ephemeral patterns. Umebayashi's deliberate control over projection speed elevates the experience from mere film to a live performance, turning every screening into a unique sensory event.
The film thrives on contrast—brightness against darkness, permanence against decay—inviting viewers to lose themselves in the delicate balance between what lingers and what vanishes. With no dialogue or traditional narrative, MATERIAL ECSTASY relies entirely on the interplay of visual texture and pacing, offering a meditative escape into the abstract and the ephemeral.