Milocrorze: A Love Story

Performance artist Yoshimasa Ishibashi is known for his experimental tendencies, as evidenced in his first three screen outings. Although initial film offering I Wanna Drive You Insane garnered mixed reviews, sketch comedy series Vermilion Pleasure Night attracted a cult following, with recurring segment The Fuccons spun off as standalone show Oh! Mikey. His latest effort – and first full-length feature – continues his diverse approach, assembling a series of vignettes into a single work. Accordingly, Milocrorze: A Love Story is a vibrant assortment of adventures of the amorous persuasion, linked by passion and obsession.

Consisting of three distinct tales, the film opens with the plight of Ovreneli Vreneligare. As a seven year-old, he falls in love with the titular Milocrorze (Maiko, Space Battleship Yamato), with their courtship short-lived due to their age difference, but their paths crossing several decades later. In the second story, youth counsellor Besson Kumagi (Takayuki Yamada, 13 Assassins) shares unconventional advice with lovelorn adolescents, as his every move is mirrored by ever-present back-up dancers. Finally, samurai Tamon (Yamada again) searches for the beautiful Yuri (Anna Ishibashi, Snow Rabbit), after the love of his life is plunged into prostitution by ruthless kidnappers.

Accordingly, Milocrorze: A Love Story is an amalgamation of narratives and aesthetics, with each segment providing a discrete contrast. At first, child-like wonder infuses the indie-style romance, until the saccharine opening is replaced by the high-octane glamour of the middle portion. That too subsides as vengeance takes preference, with the third section appropriating the extravagant elegance of martial arts features. Finally, the film comes full circle, albeit with changed energy.

Emphasising the surreal and expressionist presentation of the separate storylines, Ishibashi constructs an audaciously unique feature. Both paying homage to and deconstructing the genres adopted, he champions originality in both his writing and directing guises. Abounding with creativity, the resulting saga of unrequited love is over-the-top yet endearing. It is also amusing, authentic and intelligent, in an insightful and imaginative effort from a visual master.

Indeed, from clever comedic interludes to pop culture references, the feature defies description. An undercurrent of fatalism and fascination also surges beneath the surface, in the epitome of bittersweet emotion. Yet courtesy of a fantastic performance from rising star Yamada and visionary execution from the impenetrable Ishibashi, the feature connects its disparate parts. Although an exercise in style over substance, Milocrorze: A Love Story is an eclectic work of art.

Rating: 4

Milocrorze: A Love Story
Director: Yoshimasa Ishibashi
Japan, 2011, 90 min

Screening 6.30pm Monday December 5
Hoyts, Melbourne Central
Japanese Film Festival