August Without Him

Hirata Yutaka, as a public figure in Nineties Japan, probably represented a lot of mainstream Japanese society's fears: an openly gay man diagnosed with AIDS, he would probably not have been welcome in many households; his outspoken nature would have seated a few uncomfortably as well. Probably the sort of challenging character a young documentary maker would relish.

In terms of entertainment, this isn't a documentary to keep you excited. As the title suggests, Kore-eda spends the August looking back at memories of his time with his subject, now that he has gone, though the majority of the film sees Yutaka bedridden, discussing his daily thoughts and opinions as he approaches death.

Though despite his illness, he is able to publish a final book, celebrating it with a beer and able to laugh at the title ("I Want to Live a Little Longer") which he chose to reject, but somehow ironically reflects his feelings. Throughout he maintains a childlike enthusiasm with a charm that keeps the camera engaged. He is still very much a child at heart - though quite understandable in his position - he relies heavily on the support and help of others around him, such as his dutiful flatmates, almost taking a glee from it. Though this again is all part of his charm, with a playful spirit shining through, despite approaching death.

Though this childlike enthusiasm is a double-edged sword, revealing a man who simply can't help himself. Despite being near death and his body sapped of energy, he still calls on call boys to visit him. He also travels to his hometown to visit his father's grave, though avoids visiting his surviving mother; perhaps his outspoken nature causing difficulties within the family.

These points, however, are not fully explored. Instead the focus is still very much on Yutaka's discussions with the camera, which he appears to thoroughly enjoy. The crew simply seem to enjoy spending time with him, noting how they break the fourth wall to help out here and there where they can. This approach was also seen in "Without Memory"; the crew offering to be filmed to help the subject with his loss of memory.

As a documentarian, Kore-eda is an ethnographer, becoming a part of his subjects' lives. This breaking of the fourth wall is perhaps what gives Kore-eda's films a realism; exploring characters in depth, as opposed to more out-and-out storytelling.