“Buried under fallen leaves alongside a country road.”

Context is everything for Tomonari Nishikawa’s “Sound of a Million Insects, Light of a Thousand Stars.” Something you’d expect to see in an art gallery, the coda message shines new light on what you have just witnessed, in what is a political message using the age-old magic of film.

Sixty-six seconds of constant flickers and movement on screen, show what looks like 35mm film under certain stresses, seemingly at the end of its life. What starts like an extreme close-up shot gradually becomes more and more frantic, with the image becoming increasingly distorted.

Following this image, we are left with a message that 100 feet of 35mm film was buried under leaves approximately twenty-five kilometers from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Left overnight in 2014, the area had been deemed safe for return by the government, though Nishikawa shows that radiation is an invisible threat.  

sound of a million insects, light of a thousand stars (2 min., 35mm, sound, Japan, 2014) from Tomonari Nishikawa on Vimeo.

In a simple and interesting way, Nishikawa shows that there is still a lot of activity in the air in the area, which, of course, goes unseen. It is also a reminder as to the impact of physical film itself in communicating ideas. Something that would not have been possible with digital technology, it shows how much richer using film can be in capturing a moment.  

An almost visual haiku, as the name suggests, this shows man’s impact on nature, and how cityscapes have removed the sites and sounds of the natural world. Man may have left the region, but the effects of our actions are still strong. Something that we are often blind to.

Director: Brad Peyton
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Simu Liu, Sterling K Brown, Mark Strong
Streamer: Netflix

Atlas is centred on Jennifer Lopez’s character, Atlas Shepherd, an analyst with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence, stemming from her childhood experiences. The plot also introduces the world’s first AI terrorist, Harlan (Simu Liu), who leads an AI rebellion that aims to wrest power and control from humanity. The film reminds us of a time when sci-fi films with aliens and robots were dime a dozen. The premise too is as old as the hills.

Even Atlas’ main trauma from her past on account of an AI mishap isn’t necessarily original. This is a protagonist we have already seen in films like I, Robot where the central character suffers from similar trauma, and grows to resent sentient robots. We needed to see a lot more of Atlas’ melancholy beneath the veneer of determination and toughness. Jennifer Lopez’s performance too doesn’t necessarily embody the supposed complexity of this character.

A staff report

Title: The Eternal Sunrise
Director: James Whitman
Cast: Emma Stone, John David Washington, Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet
Genre: Drama/Romance
Runtime: 125 minutes
Release Date: May 30, 2024

James Whitman’s latest film, *The Eternal Sunrise*, is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the unyielding passage of time. With a star-studded cast including Emma Stone, John David Washington, Saoirse Ronan, and Timothée Chalamet, the movie promises to be a cinematic journey that resonates with audiences long after the credits roll.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Italian countryside, *The Eternal Sunrise* follows the intertwining lives of four characters over two decades. The story begins in the early 2000s with Sophie (Emma Stone) and Michael (John David Washington), two aspiring artists who fall in love during a summer art residency. Their passion for each other and their art seems unbreakable until a tragic accident forces them apart.

Years later, Sophie, now a renowned artist, meets Eliza (Saoirse Ronan), a young journalist assigned to write a feature on her. As they delve into Sophie’s past, Eliza uncovers a web of connections that lead back to Michael, who has become a reclusive writer. The narrative weaves between past and present, revealing the impact of their choices and the enduring nature of true love.

Emma Stone delivers a mesmerizing performance as Sophie, capturing the character’s vulnerability and resilience with grace. John David Washington’s portrayal of Michael is equally compelling, embodying the character’s struggle between his passion and his past. Saoirse Ronan brings a fresh energy to Eliza, while Timothée Chalamet’s cameo as a young artist adds a delightful touch to the ensemble.

James Whitman masterfully directs *The Eternal Sunrise*, balancing the film’s emotional depth with its visual beauty. The cinematography by Luca Romano is breathtaking, with sweeping shots of the Italian countryside and intimate close-ups that draw the audience into the characters’ inner worlds. The film’s score, composed by Max Richter, perfectly complements the narrative, enhancing the emotional weight of key scenes.

At its core, *The Eternal Sunrise* is a meditation on the passage of time and the enduring power of love. The film explores how our choices shape our lives and the lives of those around us, often in ways we cannot foresee. It also highlights the importance of art as a means of connection and expression, with each character finding solace and purpose through their creative pursuits.

The Eternal Sunrise is a beautifully crafted film that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved and lost. Its rich storytelling, stellar performances, and stunning visuals make it a must-watch for this week. James Whitman has once again proven his ability to create films that are both emotionally powerful and visually captivating.

Rating: ★★★★☆

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