Review: Satoshi (MR. ROOKIE) Isaka’s directorial debut focuses on the craze of reality television. It seems that a video camera has the ability to bring both the best and worst out of people, which can apparently be a useful tool for upping television ratings. It is here where we turn outcasts and monsters into celebrities. Reality television went through a dramatic growth in popularity during the mid 90’s, so it was inevitable that a filmmaker would come along and show us the darker side of reality

FOCUS is a fascinating, satirical film that rivals that of Remy Belvaux, Andre Bonzel, and Benoit Poelvoorde’s MAN BITES DOG, as well as Oliver Stone’s NATURAL BORN KILLERS. All three films share the same similarities that take our unhealthy interest in other people’s lives straight to the gates of hell. While not as “in your face” as the aforementioned films, FOCUS utilizes the viewer’s own curiosity of the unknown by forcing us to wait and wonder. By doing this, Isaka accurately recreates the same general feeling of even today’s typical reality TV shows. He not only keeps us interested, and wanting more, but he makes us feel as if we are behind the camera.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this film is the complete lack of cuts within scenes. Thanks to the tremendous chemistry between the actors, this seemed to come across quite naturally which ended up making the story all the more believable. Tadanobu Asano (VITAL, A TASTE OF TEA) delivers an expectedly fantastic performance as the lonely Kanemura; whose has an odd obsession with electronic eavesdropping. While still quite young at the time, Asano takes the character of Kanemura and seizes the opportunity to create his own persona that evokes uneasy, yet sympathetic feelings from the viewer. The reporter, played by Akiru Shirai (TOMIE: ANAZA FEISU) dishes out an accurate portrayal of a man whose main interest and drive in life is to get the story at all costs, even if it means pressure, blackmail, and deception. Keiko Unno (BOOGIEPOP and Others) also excels in the difficult (but necessary) female role of Yoko.

Despite the interesting subject matter, the film takes a while to really take off. Luckily we are not forced to wait too long since the film is just over seventy minutes in length. There is almost no music in the entire film, which can increase the dragging sensation at times, but keep in mind that this was done on purpose by the director. I have read that some people find FOCUS to be a bit hard to digest. While this was actually what sparked my own interest, I am not in full agreement with this, but I can see how some people may have a difficult time dealing with subject matter as intense as this. Don’t build hopes of seeing gore and death left and right, or you will be disappointed. The real kicker is the sense of reality.

With a limited budget Satoshi Isaka succeeded in creating a disturbing and agonizing independent film that tackles the media and the individual in a refreshing manner. The sense of realism attained from watching FOCUS is hard to explain. Its potency comes from all the subtleties here and there. Whether it’s due to the almost complete lack of music throughout the film, the shot-on-video, guerilla-style camerawork, or the believable acting, FOCUS breeds a believable piece of work that will surely leave an impact on you. Or at least you’ll never watch The Anna Nicole Smith show again.