Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes (Japanese: ドロステのはてで僕ら, romanized: Dorosute no hate de bokura, lit. 'We at the end of the Droste') is a 2020 Japanese science fiction comedy film written by Makoto Ueda and cinematographed and directed by Junta Yamaguchi in his directorial debut.
| Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes | |
|---|---|
 Release poster | |
| Kanji | ドロステのはてで僕ら |
| Directed by | Junta Yamaguchi |
| Written by | Makoto Ueda |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Junta Yamaguchi |
| Edited by | Junta Yamaguchi |
| Music by | Koji Takimoto |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Tollywood |
Release date |
|
Running time | 71 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
Plot
editThe film begins when café owner Kato (Kazunari Tosa) discovers his computer's monitor shows what will happen two minutes into the future from the perspective of the television in the café, which displays what happened two minutes into the past.[1] The computer is brought down to face the television, creating a Droste effect, allowing the characters to see several minutes into the future.
Cast
edit- Kazunari Tosa
- Riko Fujitani
- Masashi Suwa
- Yoshifumi Sakai
- Haruki Nakagawa
- Munenori Nagano
- Takashi Sumita
- Chikara Honda
- Aki Asakura
Production
editThe film was shot over the course of seven days in a Kyoto café by members of the Europe Kikaku theater troupe. The film, which is edited to appear as if it was shot in one long shot, is an example of nagamawashi,[2] a microgenre of mostly-low-budget one-shot Japanese films that have gained popularity after the success of One Cut of the Dead in 2017.
Release and reception
editThe film premiered at Tollywood, a small Tokyo cinema, to an audience of twelve. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic severely limiting production and release of mainstream films, the film was selected to be screened by major theater chain Toho Cinemas.
The film was praised for its playful energy and industrious low-budget spirit. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 99% of 69 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "A time-travel comedy shot through with infectious energy, Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes offers sci-fi fans a low-key -- and highly entertaining -- treat."[3]
References
edit- ^ "Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes | Third Window Films". Retrieved 2022-05-26.
- ^ Balmont, James (2021-12-03). "Screen sensation: the single-shot thriller bringing time-travel into the Zoom era". the Guardian. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
- ^ "Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 19, 2022.