Why Is Eureka a Good Film?

Don’t be afraid of the 217 minutes! Although the film’s pace is slow, a deeply psychological and substantial plot is brought to surface. The photography is excellent (Matsaki Tamura). The photographer uses more shots in one set up. He moves the camera from long shot to close up and back. Right from the film’s opening sequence this defines the atmosphere. This frequently creates a very complex screen as well. It points at the internal struggle behind the actors seemingly aimless and hesitant wandering. The photographer applies depth composition amazingly. He doesn’t use wide angles but uses long lens (for example in the film of Carlos Reygadas the Battle in Heaven). Thus the objects and actors can only be seen at a particular distance. It makes a unique effect to pick or hide the important parts of the film. It also depicts the characters' relations to their environment and to other people; expressing their non-existant, or rather uncertain connection with the world. They are isolated from normal life. They are connected by the tragedy they experienced and now they try to find a way out together.

Shinji Aoyama: Eureka