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A Man Vanishes

人間蒸発

Directed by: Shohei Imamura
1967 / 129 minutes / PG

“The film is finished, but reality is not.”

In this fascinating pseudo-documentary, director Imamura investigates the disappearance of Tadashi Oshima, a salesman who vanishes without a trace. The case is one of many in Japan, where the social phenomenon of jо̄hatsu, or people who evaporate from society, is prevalent. Following the missing man’s fiancée, Yoshie, as she searches for him, Imamura immerses the audience in a maze where fiction and reality intertwine. As the investigation delves deep into Tadashi’s personal life, hidden facets and conflicting testimonies are revealed. But when Yoshie’s behaviour shifts and her focus wavers, the distinctions between acting and reality blurs, culminating in a shocking revelation that challenges the very nature of documentary filmmaking. 

By merging realistic interviews with scripted scenes, Imamura compels the audience, and even the actors, to question the authenticity of what they see in this groundbreaking film. A Man Vanishes straddles the line between documentary and fiction, creating a unique cinematic experience that blends an avant-garde theatrical style with the director’s renowned anthropological perspective, as he seeks to expose social issues in 1960s Japan.