Zero
Seishin 0
Directed by
Japan, USA
2019
128 min
- Japanese
Documentary
MoMA Doc Fortnight-2020
Dr. Yamamoto is a psychiatrist, 82 years old and about to give up his practice. In the sixties, he fought for closed psychiatric institutions to open their doors; the film SEISHIN, also by Kazuhiro Soda (Berlinale Forum 2008), centred on his achievements in life. This serves as the jumping off point for SEISHIN 0: Dr. Yamamoto receives his patients for the last time, the camera watches patiently, recording the smallest movements and gestures, the worries, the silences, the sadness and the solace. After the practice has closed, the film shifts its focus to the relationship between Mr. Yamamoto and his wife, who is suffering from dementia. His loving patience remains the most striking element; it makes the film into a document of a humanism that frees itself of any trace of sentimentality as it observes shortcomings, weakness and mental decline with ever greater precision, grasping them in tandem as simply part of human existence.
Awards
- Ecumenical Jury Award - Berlinale Forum
- Montgolfiere D'Or Ex Æquo Award (International Competition) - Festival des 3 Continents
Festivals
Credits
- Cast
- Masatomo Yamamoto
- Yoshiko Yamamoto
- Screenplay
- Kazuhiro Soda
- Cinematography
- Kazuhiro Soda
- Editing
- Kazuhiro Soda
- Production
- LABORATORY X
- Sales
- CHINESE SHADOWS
Kazuhiro Soda
Japan
I have ten commandments, many people misinterpret it thinking that I am not a free filmmaker. I self-impose my rules and I'm kind of restricted, but actually, these restrictions are there to set me free.
Kazuhiro SODA practices an observational method of documentary filmmaking based on his own 'Ten Commandments' which prohibits him from doing pre-shoot research or writing a synopsis before filming. He imposes these rules on himself in order to minimize preconceptions and to be able to make unexpected discoveries while filming and editing. His debut feature documentary CAMPAIGN (2007, Observational Film #1) was invited to many prestigious festivals such as Berlin IFF and was aired in nearly 200 countries and territories around the world. It won the Peabody Award in the U.S.