by integrating a pleasing and well-composed jump-cut sequence into the compositional flow of his narrative. Gokan is also not afraid to subtle decorate his cinematographical composition, e.g. Static shots are utilized as well and often stand out due to their composition, offering a subtle but pleasing play with geometry (Cine-note 1). The composition of Goto-san stands out due to its measured dynamism, mixing spatial and tracking movement into slow-moving but fluid moments. To have a chance with Riko, he decides to shake up his peaceful daily rhythm and allow himself to be caught within one of the capitalistic dynamics that thrive on exploitation.
To try to establish a romance with Riko, Goto-san starts working, besides his job at the internet café, as a temp-recruit. The position of the freeter is, in truth, a very precarious position that can easily fall victim to the malfunctioning of the capitalistic machine or can easily be swayed or forced, by the promise of easy-to-get yet little money, to enter the capitalistic machine in one of its ugliest forms. The position of the freeter is, in this respect, revealed as one of the ways to escape the exploitive dynamics of the liberal capitalist machine, but, later in the narrative, this truth of this position is uncovered. Yet, she is in search for someone to reanimate her, someone who cause the birth of a certain passion, a certain emotionality, in her body. If she feels flat, if she feels emotionally empty, it is precisely because she lets her life be solely determined by her need for money. Her choice of occupation was not motivated by any passion, but by a desire for money. Riko can be understood as a victim of the capitalistic mindset. Moreover, the impact of the covid-virus on hotel-like businesses and its personnel is also vividly highlighted and plays an important role in creating the finale of Gokan’s narrative. This society is not only preparing for the Olympics by redeveloping large parts of Tokyo – a large investment to provide games to the proletarians but also to further enrich the rich, but also a society that remains blind to the increase in poverty and aims to sustain corporate exploitation and low-paying dead-end job labor. If such an encounter were to happen, can their blossoming romantic interest in each other survive this revelation of his assumed truth? This is the main question that drives Gokan’s narrative.īesides focusing on Goto-san and his attempt to establish a romantic relationship, Gokan’s narrative also underlines the societal context in which Goto-san’s story unfolds. At all times, an encounter between him and Riko may happen, an encounter that will not also reveal his lie, but emphasize the very castration he tries to hide to this enamored female other. Yet, this lie and the fact that he does not know that Riko lives at the same internet café he lives and works at puts him, unbeknownst to him, into a precarious position.