Alright folks, let’s get into how I ended up down the Naoki Nakagawa rabbit hole last night. Started simple – kept seeing “Best Naoki Nakagawa projects” popping up everywhere online, especially in my film groups. Felt totally out of the loop, you know? Like everyone knew who this guy was except me. So I figured, fine, I’ll bite. What’s the big deal?
The Hunting Begins
Cracked open my laptop around 8 PM. Didn’t even know where to find his stuff properly. Hopped between three different streaming platforms trying to search his name directly. Total bust. Platforms were messy – some titles popped up spelled differently, some didn’t have his name attached clearly. Felt like chasing ghosts.
Finally gave up and just typed “best naoki nakagawa projects” into a search bar. Scrolled through pages of lists and forum rants. Saved a bunch of tabs:
- Weird animated thing #1 from like 2012
- That super niche dystopian one people argued about
- Some artsy black and white indie flick
- Two shorts labeled “experimental” (always a gamble)
- The one everyone calls “visually stunning” in all caps
Hit download on the first couple files that looked semi-legit. Went to make coffee while they crawled.
The Main Event (aka Confusion Sets In)
Settled back in at 9:30 PM, cup of black coffee cooling beside me. Clicked the first file:
- First 10 minutes: Okay… trippy visuals. Interesting sound design. Zero dialogue. What is happening? Genuinely questioned my life choices.
- Reason #1: Pure Sensory Weirdness. Not pretty, just strange. Felt like my brain was getting rewired against its will. Annoying? Yeah. Fascinating? Somehow also yes.
- Second Project: Switched gears to the “cult classic” dystopian one. Suddenly there’s dialogue! But it’s cryptic philosophical rambling over stark industrial landscapes. Barely followed the plot, if there even was one.
- Reason #2: Atmosphere Over Logic. Didn’t get the story, but damn, the mood stuck to me like glue. Felt heavy for hours after. That doesn’t happen often.
- Third Attempt: Put on the “artsy black and white indie.” Scenes felt fragmented. Jumpy cuts. Characters stared silently. Broke my brain trying to understand the flow.
- Reason #3: Messes With Structure. Straightforward storytelling? Nope. He smashes timelines and expectations. Frustrating? Constantly. Memorable? Unfortunately.
- Fourth Try (Short Film): Lasted 12 minutes. Involved abstract shapes, screeching violins, and rapid flashing images. Thought I might have a seizure. Wanted to turn it off at least 4 times… but finished it.
- Reason #4: Short Form, Maximum Impact. Packs more weirdness per minute than anything else I’ve watched. Like a punch to the senses.
By 11:45 PM, I was drained. Saved the last recommended one (“visually stunning”) for another night. My head was too full.
The Verdict (and That Fifth Reason)
Slammed the laptop shut close to midnight. Needed dark and quiet. Here’s the thing:
- Reason #5: Sticks in Your Head (Like Gum Under a Chair). Woke up thinking about that fragmented black and white film. Couldn’t place why. Images just floated back. That never happens with safe, normal movies. It’s annoying. Annoying like the buzzing feeling after that short film ended. You want it gone, but it’s stuck.
Real talk? Was it a fun Saturday night? Not really. Was it like watching typical Hollywood stuff? Hell no. Do I kinda respect the sheer audacity of someone making work this intentionally difficult and niche? Yeah. Grudgingly. Won’t binge it, but if someone says “you HAVE to see this weird Nakagawa thing,” I’ll probably cave. Just gotta be in the right, slightly masochistic mood.