Bu su (1987)

🎬 BU•SU (1987)

📅 Year: 1987
🌍 Country: Japan
🎞️ Genre: Drama / Coming-of-Age
🎬 Director: Shinji Sōmai (相米慎二)
⭐ Cast: Hiroko Yakushimaru, Rentarō Mikuni, Ken Ogata

📖 Plot Summary

Bu•Su follows an introverted teenage girl who struggles with speech anxiety and emotional withdrawal. Unable to express herself freely, she drifts through daily life feeling isolated and misunderstood.

Her life changes when she encounters the world of Rakugo, a traditional Japanese storytelling performance that relies entirely on voice, timing, and expression. Through strict training and uncomfortable self-confrontation, she is forced to face her fears, insecurities, and suppressed emotions.

Rather than offering a dramatic transformation, the film quietly observes her gradual, fragile steps toward self-acceptance.

🎥 Themes and Interpretation

Bu•Su explores inner silence more than spoken dialogue. Its themes unfold subtly, without explanation or emotional manipulation.

• Fear of self-expression
• Adolescence and emotional isolation
• Tradition as a tool for personal growth
• Discipline versus vulnerability
• Identity formed through discomfort

The film treats growth not as victory, but as endurance.

🎭 Performances and Direction

Hiroko Yakushimaru delivers a restrained and deeply internal performance, relying on body language and silence rather than dialogue.

Director Shinji Sōmai is known for his long, uninterrupted takes, and here he uses them to trap the viewer inside the protagonist’s emotional state. Scenes often linger uncomfortably, mirroring the character’s anxiety.

🖼️ Cinematography and Atmosphere

The visual style is minimal and observational.

• Long tracking shots
• Natural lighting
• Muted color palette
• Emphasis on negative space
• Silence used as narrative weight

The camera never rushes. It waits.

🏆 Why This Film Is Worth Watching

Bu•Su is worth watching if you:

• Appreciate slow, character-driven cinema
• Are interested in Japanese auteur films
• Value atmosphere over plot
• Prefer subtle emotional realism
• Want to experience Shinji Sōmai’s unique style

This is not entertainment-first cinema. It is introspective and demanding.

🎬 Similar Films You May Like

• Moving (1993)
• Typhoon Club (1985)
• Nobody Knows (2004)
• Still Walking (2008)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bu•Su a difficult film to watch?
Yes. It is slow and emotionally restrained, but intentionally so.

Does the film rely heavily on Rakugo knowledge?
No. Rakugo functions symbolically rather than technically.

Is this a mainstream Japanese film?
No. It is a clear example of auteur-driven, festival-oriented cinema.

⇓ DOWNLOAD OPTIONS ⇓

Bu Su (1987).mp4 – 1.5 GB

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