A seasoned detective is called in to rescue a politician held hostage by a lunatic. In a brief moment of uncertainty, he misses the chance for action. Leaving his job and family without explanation, he makes his way to a mountain forest, encountering a peculiar tree called Charisma.
Direction
Kurosawa turns a tree into the most compelling antagonist of 1999
Acting
Yakusho's silent breakdown should be studied in acting schools
Sound
The wind becomes a character, and it's judging you
Director
Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Kiyoshi Kurosawa shot the forest scenes near Mount Fuji during actual typhoon conditions, which explains the apocalyptic weather.
The film was made during Japan's 'lost decade' economic crash, and critics read Charisma as a metaphor for cults of personality replacing failed institutions—notice how both the tree and the politician inspire identical devotion.
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