Editorial Notes...63: On Watching "Suddenly Feeling Unwell"
An editorial note on the film "Suddenly Feeling Unwell," discussing Ryohei Kase's method, Ryusuke Hamaguchi's direction, and the film's relationship to its epistolary source.Summary
This editorial note (No. 63) discusses the film "Suddenly Feeling Unwell." Although time has passed since its release, the author writes about it following Takashima Yasushi's review. The author recalls exchanging impressions with Fukui Ayaka and notes having watched the film and read the original book repeatedly. The note highlights the important role of Ryohei Kase, praising the contact improvisation in the nursing home courtyard scene where boundaries between performer and audience, disabled and able-bodied, caregiver and cared-for dissolve. The author admires director Ryusuke Hamaguchi's skill in incorporating methods from minor experimental theater into film, and expresses amazement at its international awards. The original is a correspondence between philosopher Miyano Maoko and medical anthropologist Isono Masaho; the film is not a faithful adaptation but resonates in depicting the mutual resonance between two independent individuals. The author also mentions a scene discussing capitalism, sharing a detailed memo from an acquaintance in care work. The film is positioned as an encouragement to those struggling within a vast, rigid social structure.
(Source：artscape)