Name: Tokyo!
Released: 2008

I subscribe to the Dust Channel on YouTube. It’s a fantastic space to watch sci-fi-related films from a distributor who wants to bring you them to watch for free. Back in 2008, before Bong Joon Ho smashed it out of the park with Parasite, he directed an anthology film. I know right, who knew? The movie which runs for 112 minutes is called “Tokyo!” Directors for the three included films in the collection of short stories are Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer), Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), and Leos Carax (Holy Motors.) If you are starting to get excited, I know how you feel.

The Three Segments of the Toyko 2018 Film

The three segments for Tokyo! 2008 the anthology film series includes design work from the graphic novel “Cecil and Jordan in New York” written by Gabrielle Bell. “Merde” is by Carax and “Shaking Toyko” is directed by Bong Joon Ho. I’m going to give you all the ways to watch this awesome short film collection and give you a taste via the trailer while you’re here. The Tokyo! film is available to watch in most regions on TubiTV (USA.)

Each of the films is tied together by its setting, Tokyo City, and the 21st Century.

Here’s a little more information on what to expect. Tokyo! the movie will feature on all of Dust’s OTT platforms, including Samsung, The Roku Channel, and Roku VOD. If you are a fan of stories that point their finger at society and make a statement, then make sure you get online and watch this anthology film as soon as possible.

Tokyo! Anthology Film

“Interior Design”

“Interior Design” short film is about love in 21st Century Tokyo with a couple in the middle of locating a new apartment. Hiroko (Ayako Fujitani) and her boyfriend Akira (Ryô Kase) head to the city to stay with a mutual friend. Akiro is a filmmaker with many aspiring commitments and Hiroko hasn’t quite found her purpose in life. She feels like she has nothing to offer.

Interior Design is by director Michel Gondry and he wants you to think about society’s idea of worth. He fulfills his mission with many tiny snippets of conversation throughout the narrative. Without ruining the ending of Toyko! 2018, which took me a little by surprise, the reveal explains itself in the closing sentence from Hiroko. Some might feel ripped off about where Interior Design ends up, but its symbolism can’t be ignored.

The runtime for Interior Design is 37 minutes.

In fact,

I’ve never in all my life,

Felt so useful.
Hiroko, a quote from the short film Interior Design

“Merde!”

A Godzilla parody, “Merde!” short film features a sewer-dwelling character who takes to the streets of Tokyo and terrorizes people going about their day. A ‘manhunt’ ensues and the creature is positioned before the courts to reveal just why he does what he does.

Merde is a little slow to get going but makes various statements about society and its willingness to attribute false statements to anything it chooses to via the media. The inaccuracies from the media reporting on the monster from the sewers are what stuck out to me during its run time and that the masses always buy what’s being fed to us through the television or news sometimes without question.

Later in the last half, there is a fantastic cross-cut scene where the lawyer, Mr. Merde, and the court audience are shown simultaneously. There is still a lot to take notice of even when you think there isn’t. Merde is a small film with a lot to say about terrorism, politics, religion, money, and infamy as well as all that goes along with it. But it wasn’t my favorite of the three, despite wanting to watch it again.

The runtime for Merde is 38 minutes.

My God always places me,

among the people, I hate most.
Merde short film quote

“Shaking Tokyo”

The ever-prolific Bong Joon Ho’s “Shaking Tokyo” movie is about a man in isolation. The word hikikomori relates to a Japanese stigma similar to agoraphobia except done on purpose. A recluse if you will. Here in this short film L’homme (Teruyuki Kagawa) who’s been living in his home for at least ten years where his desire to be part of society has drifted away. L’homme speaks of the highlights of being the way he is. He can use the toilet with the door open or even fall asleep there. Who will tell him it’s wrong?

It’s strange watching a film that was made in 2008, where L’homme is shown next to a tall tower of empty toilet rolls and thrives on the ability to live with just the money his parents send and a telephone that can deliver everything he needs. But one day his ordinal routine is interrupted by a massive earthquake at the same time as his first on-purpose eye contact. His pizza delivery was made by a woman (Yû Aoi.) And suddenly she is passed out on his doorstep.

After she recovers and leaves, L’homme does his best to find out where she is. He is surprised to learn his mystery woman declares she is also a hikikomori and sets out to find her. He discovers the streets are empty. Not only that but the whole city has gone into isolation too. Can you find love when you never want to go outside again? What if it was as simple as picking a button? Shaking Tokyo is an excellent short film and well worth your time.