The Girl in the Picture

About This Movie

So, ‘The Girl in the Picture’ is this intriguing 8mm short from Obayashi, who would later make a name for himself in feature films. The film captures this wistful, almost dreamlike quality as a man navigates his memories of a girl from his past, played by Kyoko, who eventually becomes his wife. It’s a delicate balance of nostalgia and longing, with a really unique use of practical effects that you don’t see in a lot of short films from that time. The pacing is gentle, allowing the viewer to really sink into the atmosphere, feeling the weight of memory. It’s definitely a personal piece, indicative of Obayashi’s style before he took on bigger projects.

Finding copies of ‘The Girl in the Picture’ can be a bit of a challenge since it’s an 8mm short and not widely distributed. Collectors often appreciate the film for its personal nature and Obayashi’s early experimentation with form. The scarcity of this piece adds to its allure, making it a subject of interest among those who delve into early Japanese cinema or Obayashi's body of work.