Not That Way but This

About This Movie

So, 'Not That Way but This' is this raw documentary from 1982 that dives into the daily rhythms of mentally disabled adults living in Chita. The film's got this unvarnished tone, almost like you're a fly on the wall. You follow Toki, who's 45, and he’s got this strict routine—straightening books and cleaning out ashtrays at pachinko parlors. It’s not flashy or dramatized; it’s just life as it is for them. The pacing feels natural, with moments of pause that let you really absorb what’s happening. The performances are genuine, offering a sort of intimacy and honesty that makes the whole experience quite distinct. There’s a certain poetry in their everyday tasks that feels both profound and poignant somehow.

Documentary style captures raw daily lifeFocus on routine tasks brings a unique perspectiveIntimate portrayal of characters' lives