How ``The Squid and the Whale,'' which captures the subtleties of adolescence, reaches a drama with real emotions that goes beyond autobiography.

Memories that are accepted by being made into movies

Furthermore, once the script is completed and production begins in earnest, it is the actors who breathe life into the role. At this stage, they have already read the script thoroughly and often know the character better than the creators do, so the role that was previously created in the creators' own self-conceited mind expands to a level beyond their expectations.

In this way, as it was "shared" with many people, including the cast, staff, and audience, the story transcended merely personal experiences and memories and reached completion as one large creative world.

When you think about it, Baumbach's creative process is like a form of therapy.

If you have a painful childhood memory, instead of turning away from it, first slowly go back through the memory from your present perspective, and then before you know it, you will see it through the eyes of a child. Eventually, you will expand your imagination to include the feelings of adults, and at the end, you will find empathy and sharing with others. Whether this leads to "comprehension" or "forgiveness" for the past, at the very least, you will be able to accept it without looking away.

"The Squid and the Whale" (c) 2005 Squid and Whale, Inc. Todos os Direibs Reservados.

As a result, The Squid and the Whale is a film that contains fictional parts that are different from objective fact. For this reason, Baumbach probably feels a little hesitant to call it an "autobiography." However, on the other hand, he says that it is certainly an "emotionally real" film. And, he says, "It feels so real because the creative process went well." This may sound like an ambivalent claim, but in light of the creative process we've seen so far, I think we can understand this subtle nuance.

Although this is a short film of only about 80 minutes, it can be said to be a spiritual core work for filmmaker Noah Baumbach. Did he imagine at the time that he would create "Marriage Story" in the near future?

Again, the film deals with the heart-wrenching theme of divorce, but each character has their own drama, they are compassionate and relatable, and the film is filled with indescribable humor, love, and warmth.

It is clear that it was his experience in transforming personal experiences into film, gained through the production of The Squid and the Whale, that enabled him to turn Marriage Story into such a masterpiece.

How will he navigate the ocean of his fifties? We look forward to seeing what happens next from this one-of-a-kind filmmaker.

Reference article URL

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/04/29/happiness

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/mar/31/2

The Squid and the Whale Collector's Edition DVD Audio Commentary/Bonus Footage

Text: USHIZU ATSUNOBU

Born in Nagasaki in 1977. When he was 3 years old, he saw ``Superman II'' with his father and became fascinated with movies. After The Graduate from Meiji University, he worked for a movie broadcasting channel and then became a movie writer. Currently, in addition to writing for Eiga.com, EYESCREAM, Real Sound Movie Club, etc., he also contributes to media press and theater programs.

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"The Squid and the Whale" Collector's Edition

DVD: 1,551 yen (tax included)

Release and sales: Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.

(c)2005 Squid and Whale, Inc. Todos os Direibs Reservados.