Emotion (1966)
A dreamlike avant-garde short by Nobuhiko Obayashi, blending youth, fantasy, and vampire romance in 39 hypnotic minutes.
Emotion - Movie Information
Emotion - Plot
Experimental short film depicting the life, perhaps real, perhaps a dream, of a young girl named Emi. Emi travels to the city where she encounters her counterpart, Sari, and falls in love with…a vampire?
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Emotion - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Nobuhiko Obayashi
Main Cast
- Emi Tabata
- Sari Akasaka
- Kyôko Hanyû
- Sakio Hirata
- Jinichi Isizaki
- Jusin Kitamura
- Donald Richie
- Chigumi Ôbayashi
Writers
- Nobuhiko Obayashi
- Kyôko Hanyû
Producers
- Kyōko Ōbayashi
Emotion - FAQs
What is Emotion (1966) about?
Emotion follows Emi, a young girl whose journey to the city blurs the line between reality and dream. There she meets her counterpart Sari and falls into an unlikely romance with a vampire. Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, the film is a poetic, avant-garde meditation on youth, desire, and identity.
Is Emotion (1966) a vampire film?
Yes, but not in the traditional sense. Obayashi uses the vampire figure as a surreal, romantic symbol rather than a horror monster. The film's subtitle — 'Dracula of the Afternoon' — signals this playful, dreamlike approach, blending gothic imagery with the emotional awakening of its young protagonist.
Where can you stream Emotion (1966)?
You can stream Emotion on the Criterion Channel. It's a fitting home for the film, given Criterion's dedication to world cinema and experimental works. If you have a subscription, it's well worth seeking out this rare and visually striking piece of Japanese avant-garde filmmaking.
What makes Emotion (1966) an avant-garde film?
Obayashi shot Emotion independently on 8mm film, using collage-like editing, superimpositions, and fragmented narrative to create a deeply personal, non-linear experience. The film rejects conventional storytelling in favor of mood and sensation, anticipating the bold visual style Obayashi would later bring to Hausu (1977).
Who directed Emotion and what is his style?
Nobuhiko Obayashi directed Emotion, also serving as cinematographer and editor. Known for his wildly inventive visual language, Obayashi began his career making experimental short films before breaking into mainstream Japanese cinema. His style is characterized by rapid editing, surreal imagery, and an almost childlike sense of wonder.
Who are the main cast members in Emotion?
The film features Emi Tabata and Sari Akasaka in the central roles of Emi and Sari, with Kyôko Hanyû providing narration. Notably, Donald Richie — the celebrated American film critic and Japan expert — also appears as a narrator, lending the film an intriguing cross-cultural dimension.
How long is Emotion (1966)?
Emotion runs just 39 minutes, making it a short film. That brevity is part of its power — Obayashi packs an enormous amount of visual invention and emotional resonance into under 40 minutes, creating something that feels both fleeting and deeply immersive, much like the dream state it depicts.
What films are similar to Emotion (1966)?
If Emotion resonates with you, explore Chris Marker's La Jetée (1962), another landmark experimental short built on fragmented imagery and poetic narration. Obayashi's own Pastoral: To Die in the Country (1974) is a natural companion piece, sharing the same dreamlike, autobiographical spirit and avant-garde sensibility.
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