I went to Camera Japan this year. The festival shows Japanese movies and much more. It started in Rotterdam at LantarenVenster&Fenix. I had wanted to go for a while and this time I finally did.
I watched Maru (2024) by Naoko Ogigami. I had heard of her before but never seen one of her films. The story is about Sawada. He is a young artist who just graduated from art school but has not found his own voice yet. One day he sees an ant in his room and starts drawing circles around it. These circles are called ensō. In Zen, an ensō is drawn in one brushstroke, often in silence, as a meditative act. Each circle shows the state of mind of the person drawing it. It can be closed or open, perfect or imperfect.
In Sawada’s case the act is almost accidental and a little absurd. A tiny ant, endless circles, and a young artist unsure what counts as real art. Maru shows how art gets value, how the market works, and the problems a person faces while searching for their own identity. Watching the strange parts of the modern art world made me smile often but also made me think, "Who does art really serve?" Especially in the quiet scenes. Sawada’s loneliness, his doubts, and how a small action can have a big meaning were powerful.
After the film the festival atmosphere was still in the hall. Some stands were set up but most were already closed. I looked at the ones that were open, had a glass of wine and then left quietly.
Camera Japan did more than let me watch a film. It gave me a small connection to Japanese culture. I did not choose Maru by chance but I went in without thinking too much. Watching it as a painter and seeing the funny side of the art world was refreshing. It was more than a festival visit.
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