Educational Media Reviews Online

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy is a feature-length Japanese anthology film comprised of three distinct episodes. Episode 1, “Magic (Or Something Less Assuring),” focuses on a love triangle that forms after Tsugumi begins seeing a new man who, unbeknownst to her, happens to be the ex-boyfriend of her best friend, Meiko. The second episode, titled “Door Wide Open,” highlights a scheme between two students to ‘honey trap’ their former professor. Although Nao, an adult returning student, goes along with the plan in hopes of finding acceptance from her younger classmates, the setup has unexpected results. “Once Again,” the third installment, imagines a dystopian present in which online communication has ended due to a worldwide virus. It centers on a chance meeting and case of mistaken identity between two former classmates. Although neither woman is who the other thinks she is, they feel an undeniable connection.

The film features artistic cinematography that puts characters and their conversations at the forefront. Apart from a few brief scenes, the majority of the film is made up of intimate, two-person conversations. Varying techniques and camera angles are utilized to evoke the emotion of each scene; Episode 1’s dramatic confrontation scene between two ex-lovers features frequent angle changes and movement, while the intimate reading of a novel’s erotic scene in Episode 2 remains relatively static to allow viewers to focus on the building tension. The film depicts both rural and suburban Japan, giving viewers insight into many different aspects of Japanese culture, including business, university, and home life. The use of music is limited, with only lilting piano music serving as a transition between vignettes. Though sparse, this music helps to connect the stories and maintain the feeling of fantasy.

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy offers college-age and adult viewers many opportunities for discussion, whether the film is viewed as a whole or by episode. Interpersonal relationships offer perhaps the most fodder; the film not only includes romantic relationships, but also friendship, professor/student interaction, and even a new connection between strangers who bond over a shared experience. Happiness is another major theme, with each episode highlighting characters who are unhappy in their relationships but unable to find a way (or the courage) to leave. Episode 3 focuses on same-sex relationships in Japan and may serve as a jumping-off point for important cultural conversations. As the title suggests, dreams and fantasy play a role in all three episodes, whether through actual dream sequences or simply the characters’ desire to forget their current reality. Episodes 2 and 3 also highlight the role of technology in our lives and its potential explosive consequences. Viewers with interests in social psychology, interpersonal relationships, Japanese culture or spoken Japanese (the film includes excellent English subtitles) will find great value in this work.

Awards:
Winner, Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, Berlin Int'l. Film Festival; Winner, Silver Q-Hugo, Chicago Int'l. Film Festival; Nominated, Best Film, San Sebastian Film Festival; Nominated, Teddy, Berlin Int'l. Film Festival; Official Selection, New York Film Festival

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