Film Reviewskumiko, the treasure hunter: odyssey of obsessionMar 27, 2015 Anchorage Press
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The title, Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter, evokes images of a great quest, action-packed plot, twists of fate, glamorous fighting scenes, a grandiose cause, and perhaps a little romance; Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter is none of that. The story that Austin-based brothers David and Nathan Zellner wrote, directed and starred in is based on a tragic event reported in 2001 about a Japanese woman named Takako Konishi. Konishi was 28 years old and traveled from Japan to the frozen Midwest to reportedly look for the briefcase of money seen buried in the Coen brother's 1996 movie Fargo. A hunter outside of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, found Konishi's body. One will never know what her real reasons for undertaking a journey to her death were, but there are speculations about her obsession with finding the treasure in Fargo, and other reports about her journey having to do with a breakup. Regardless of the myths that have emerged as a result, the undisputable truth is that a person is capable of great-if ill-fated-feats to find that which completes them or what some call happiness.
The opening scene in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter reveals Kumiko's search already in progress. The set up for the plot actually starts with the opening credits when the filmmakers pull the opening disclaimer from the movie Fargo that tells viewers "This is a true story " And while it is common knowledge that Fargo is a fictitious comedy, Kumiko believes it. Wearing a geranium-red, zip up hoodie, Kumiko walks along a dark and pebbly beach with a white cloth in her hand that flies around like a flag. One may think she's about to surrender, but instead Kumiko goes into a cave and uncovers a VHS tape of Fargo. The flag, as it turns out, is a hand-sewn map that led her to the tape. There is no explanation given to how she came to discover the VHS tape, but it doesn't matter because Kumiko's journey is that of uncertainty and mystery. From that point on, the Zellner brothers weave a tale layered in symbolism that presents Kumiko with the possibilities to make unconventional choices, and she does just that. Rinko Kikuchi, in full command of the character of Kumiko, is able to hold close her actions, keeping viewers on emotional tenterhooks. Kikuchi interacts beautifully with the camera to set the pace; the wide shots and angles make it seem as if the camera waits for her to finish a silent sentence, punctuated by her facial expression.
Kumiko's story could be easily transposed to any individual, in any culture, place or time. It is a story of a person who doesn't fit in his or her world, and is driven mad by cultural pressures and gender roles. Kumiko finds herself alienated and burden with expectations in all aspects of her life, and what's worse, with very little power to change things. The unraveling of her state of mind is fascinating and told through key details like the preparation of her boss' tea, the disarray of her small apartment, her reaction to her friend and her child, her obsession and care to map out the next step in her journey, and finally her resolution to the most important relationship in her life, that with Bunzo, her companion rabbit. Kumiko and Bunzo are made for one another. He is the only living thing in her world who doesn't demand that she is anything other than herself, which makes their parting especially painful to watch, and until the last moment, unpredictable.
Once Kumiko reaches America she's determined to complete her treasure hunt at any cost. Kumiko's determination hides her fear, though not her vulnerability. The characters around her show concern for her and are genuinely afraid for her, but in the end they are not responsible for Kumiko's actions. What happens next, and after Kumiko goes the final distance to the treasure is up to the viewer to interpret, to believe or not. Her re-emergence from the snow is symbolic on so many levels, the unearthing of hope and a triumphant heart, and of course, a bunny.
Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter shows at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub on Monday, March 30 at 7:50 p.m.
The opening scene in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter reveals Kumiko's search already in progress. The set up for the plot actually starts with the opening credits when the filmmakers pull the opening disclaimer from the movie Fargo that tells viewers "This is a true story " And while it is common knowledge that Fargo is a fictitious comedy, Kumiko believes it. Wearing a geranium-red, zip up hoodie, Kumiko walks along a dark and pebbly beach with a white cloth in her hand that flies around like a flag. One may think she's about to surrender, but instead Kumiko goes into a cave and uncovers a VHS tape of Fargo. The flag, as it turns out, is a hand-sewn map that led her to the tape. There is no explanation given to how she came to discover the VHS tape, but it doesn't matter because Kumiko's journey is that of uncertainty and mystery. From that point on, the Zellner brothers weave a tale layered in symbolism that presents Kumiko with the possibilities to make unconventional choices, and she does just that. Rinko Kikuchi, in full command of the character of Kumiko, is able to hold close her actions, keeping viewers on emotional tenterhooks. Kikuchi interacts beautifully with the camera to set the pace; the wide shots and angles make it seem as if the camera waits for her to finish a silent sentence, punctuated by her facial expression.
Kumiko's story could be easily transposed to any individual, in any culture, place or time. It is a story of a person who doesn't fit in his or her world, and is driven mad by cultural pressures and gender roles. Kumiko finds herself alienated and burden with expectations in all aspects of her life, and what's worse, with very little power to change things. The unraveling of her state of mind is fascinating and told through key details like the preparation of her boss' tea, the disarray of her small apartment, her reaction to her friend and her child, her obsession and care to map out the next step in her journey, and finally her resolution to the most important relationship in her life, that with Bunzo, her companion rabbit. Kumiko and Bunzo are made for one another. He is the only living thing in her world who doesn't demand that she is anything other than herself, which makes their parting especially painful to watch, and until the last moment, unpredictable.
Once Kumiko reaches America she's determined to complete her treasure hunt at any cost. Kumiko's determination hides her fear, though not her vulnerability. The characters around her show concern for her and are genuinely afraid for her, but in the end they are not responsible for Kumiko's actions. What happens next, and after Kumiko goes the final distance to the treasure is up to the viewer to interpret, to believe or not. Her re-emergence from the snow is symbolic on so many levels, the unearthing of hope and a triumphant heart, and of course, a bunny.
Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter shows at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub on Monday, March 30 at 7:50 p.m.