Air Doll
Air Doll
Air Doll
Air Doll
Air Doll
Air Doll
Air Doll
Air Doll
Air Doll
Air Doll
Air Doll

Dekanalog

Air Doll

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Edition Type: Standard Edition

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This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!

Details

This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover was limited to 2,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.

Dekanalog is a film and soundtrack distribution company dedicated to the release of the most unique filmmaking voices and musical scores from around the world. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing this diverse and unique home video line!

A present-day fable for the increasing disconnect we find in urban life, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Air Doll transports the Galatea myth to present day Tokyo. A life-size air doll (Bae Doona, The Host) lives in a shabby apartment in Tokyo. She cannot speak, nor can she move. But she is the only companion her middle-aged master has. He talks to her, puts her in a bath, and makes love with her every day after he returns from work. This routine life is disrupted when fantasy turns into reality. The air doll suddenly comes to life, filled with a soul. Like a newborn baby, she doesn’t understand what is going on around her, but she sees a world waiting to be explored outside the apartment. Eventually venturing to the outside world, the air doll is fascinated by everything she sees, and though she meets many people in all walks of life, they can’t seem to provide her an answer to what “being alive” means. When the air doll wanders into a video store, her world is forever changed. She meets Junichi (Arata Iura, After Life), the clerk, and immediately falls in love with him. The air doll begins working in the store and everyday, she and Junichi become closer. They go to the movies and explore the city together…like a couple. Everything is going perfectly for the air doll, until one day when her hand is accidentally cut and she begins to deflate in front of Junichi… A romantic fantasy that explores the complexities of love and loss, joy and pain, fantasy and reality, this bittersweet love story examines the intricacies and frailties of human existence. Adapted from the manga by Yoshiie Goda and featuring breathtaking cinematography from Mark Lee Ping-Bing (In The Mood For Love).

directed by: Hirokazu Kore-eda
starring: Bae Doona, Arata Iura, Itsuji Itao
2009 / 116 min / 1.85:1 / Japanese DTS HD-MA 2.0

Additional info:

  • Region A Blu-ray
  • Q&A with filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda, and actors Bae Doona, Arata Iura, and Itsuji Itao at the Japanese Premiere
  • Footage from the world premiere at the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival
  • Behind The Scenes
  • Trailer
  • English subtitles

Air Doll | Dekanalog US Trailer from Dekanalog on Vimeo.

Overall rating: 4.64557 / 5 from 79 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Air Doll, a Blu-ray release from Dekanalog, presents a unique and romantic fantasy film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. Customers praise the performances, the film's cinematography, and the excellent release quality. The story, while intriguing to some, has mixed opinions among viewers.

Summary topics

  • Performances: 15%
  • Film Experience: 16%
  • Cinematography: 35%
  • Release Quality: 8%

Review topics: ["quality","packaging","piece","work","film","movie","performances","release","kore-eda","doll","title","transfer","story","slipcover","director","journey","example","meditation","edition","gem","adult","premise","moments","drama","artwork","blu-ray","girls","features","life","oddity"].

Review highlights

  • "This film is a bit more quirky than the usual Kore-eda found family plot and Bae Doona is great in the titular role." — Justin B.
  • "I bought the standard edition and it's a great release with a booklet with an interesting essay." — Justin B.
  • "Great performances by every actor, nice story and really touching." — Martin S.

Reviews

Charming Film

"While not my favorite this movie did leave me with philosophical questions, which maybe makes it great. It was charming at times but in the end surprisingly a sad film; a meditation on life I suppose."

— Ismael F. (5/5)

Good Kore-Eda film

"It's a good movie. Not in my top 5, but still good. I can recommend (almost) every Kore-Eda film. One of the best modern japanese Dirctors. Nice release and transfer."

— Martin H. (4/5)

Gorgeous meditation on humanity

"Wonderful film."

— Nick C. (5/5)

You can never go wrong

"You can never go wrong with Kore-eda. Charming and wonderful."

— Matthew P. (5/5)

Great buy!

"I was recently recommended this and After Life, I'm glad to see such a high quality print for this and I hope we get more Kore-Eda soon!"

— Mervyn J. (5/5)

"Missed the slipcase edition but still very happy with this edition. Great picture. Very happy."

— MR (5/5)

Hidden gem from Asia

"Amazing little film. Watch the trailer and decide but I really love it."

— Muhammad A. (5/5)

Kore-Eda's SPLASH

"If nothing else, Kore-eda made unequivocally the most melancholy film about a sex doll that gains a heart and sentience and discovers the meaning of life while working at a video store in all of cinema! (And IMO there is definitely somewhere out there who finds this premise and the idea that the I'm a Real Girl sex doll come to life getting turned on by having someone she cares for blowing air into her navel/air portal a full-on blood-pumping Kink, and who am I to judge?) One key thing to note is that Bae Doona is very good here, especially as blurring the line between being extremely adorable and rather eerie in her appearance as a living doll (more so early on than later). Much of this has a pleasant and meditative existential quality, but it is not one of my favorites from this filmmaker simply because it is a little too long to support what is happening in the story and really as s short film (even like 30 or 35 minutes) it might have been perfect, like getting more to the point before it is belabored. You get it and then it kind of repeats itself. But there is rich and serene filmmaking here that takes the subject more seriously than anyone else would have and I liked that Kore-eda never bothers to try to explain any of the fantastical elements because once one tries to pull one thread then it would go up in flames. The filmmaker brings so many little grace notes and pieces of observation, like when Bae tries to connect with that baby and the mom acts all affronted that she tried to do that. It is probably like, well. . . Kore-eda's Splash, only a sex doll instead of a mermaid and not that funny."

— JACK C. (3/5)

A lesser-known but very good movie by Kore-eda

"Turns a strange premise into a deeply affecting movie. Kore-eda is obviously a great director, and I'm glad to have this movie in my collection."

— Fabrice B. (5/5)

Air Doll

"A really lovely and beautiful film. Loved the cinematography and how it slowly glides through scenes, almost like a silent observer watching the actions of all the characters."

— Liam K. (5/5)

Q&A

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