Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021)

Other name: 偶然と想像, Guzen to Sozo

Description:

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, Hamaguchi Ryusuke's latest work, delves into the intricate themes of duplication and mirroring through its compelling female characters. Presented as a collection of three distinct short stories, each episode revolves around a woman and unfolds in three delicate movements, creating a rhythmic narrative. The film explores an unexpected love triangle, a meticulously planned yet failed seduction trap, and an encounter stemming from a misunderstanding, with the final story subtly introducing a complex temporality that flirts with science fiction. Despite often featuring just two actors within a single space, the exquisite organic storytelling and mise en scène prevent it from ever feeling like filmed theatre. The film masterfully crystallizes these moments into touching, universal destinies, highlighting the profound impact of choices, regrets, deception, and coincidences as its true protagonists.

Director: Hamaguchi Ryusuke [濱口竜介]

Country: Japanese

Status: Completed

Released: 2021

Genre:Drama; Romance