Dementia film expands from phone shorts to 111-minute feature

The 30 short episodes of 'Earthlings in Love' originally totaled 76 minutes. The theatrical version released at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival runs 111 minutes. This 35-minute increase reflects the shift from a vertical social media format to a horizontal cinema presentation.

The film is part of the Nippon Cinema Now section at the festival. It stars a character named Shinpei, a director diagnosed with young-onset dementia. He attempts to complete a movie project he started with friends during his teenage years. The goal is to record his memories before they fade.

Director Ueda Shinichiro is known for the cult zombie film 'One Cut of the Dead.' He has built a career on self-reflexive storytelling. He told Variety that the project began as a series of short clips for social media. Positive online responses encouraged the team to expand the material into a feature length film for theaters.

The narrative draws on Ueda's personal experiences. He visited his hometown and spoke with old schoolmates. He observed that different people remembered the same events in different ways. Some details were forgotten entirely. He wanted to explore the gap between personal memory and recorded facts.

The vertical frame presents specific technical challenges. Ueda noted that group shots are difficult to frame effectively. He used the narrow aspect ratio to hide information from the viewer. That information is later revealed from a different angle. He also connected the visual limitation to the subject matter, as dementia can limit a person's field of vision.

Editing decisions changed between the digital and theatrical versions. The social media format required a fast pace to prevent viewers from swiping away. The theatrical cut allows for slower pacing. Ueda said a seated audience can stay engaged for two hours. The feature restored shots and dialogue cut from the short episodes. It added newly filmed material. It removed cliffhanger endings designed to bring viewers back the next day.

Ueda compared his process to his earlier works such as 'Special Actors.' He said his approach remained similar despite the format change. He noted that actors in short dramas often perform more broadly. His cast had feature film experience and performed at that level. The main difference was the speed of feedback. Comments on social media arrive immediately. An idea could be shot in the afternoon and released that evening. A feature film takes at least 12 months to reach theaters.

Ueda expects both formats to continue growing. He believes the market for vertical shorts will expand. He also believes cinemas will remain relevant. In Japan, theaters are now the only place where people turn off their phones and sit together for two hours. He compared the experience to a church or sacred place, describing it as a unique ritual.