919 (2022)
A haunting five-minute Japanese animated short in which a man's inner pain takes the form of a relentless demon by the sea.
919 - Movie Information
- Original Title: 九一九
- Release Year: 2022
- Directed by: Tai Ishii
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation
- Runtime: 5m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 12, 2022 (Japan), May 24, 2022 (Germany)
- Alternative Titles: Kyuu Ichi Kyuu (JP)
- Production Companies: Tokyo University of the Arts
- Production Countries: Japan
919 - Plot
A man is walking along the beach. Then a demon, the man's pain, appears and chases him. The pain is unbearable, coursing through his entire body. He somehow manages to get away, but eventually, he returns to the ocean even though he knows that the demon will appear again if he goes there.
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919 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Tai Ishii
Main Cast
- Takashi Ishii
Producers
- Koji Yamamura
- Taruto Fuyama
919 - FAQs
What is 919 about?
919 follows a man walking along a beach who is pursued by a demon representing his own inner pain. Despite escaping, he is compelled to return to the ocean again and again, knowing the demon will reappear. The film is a poetic meditation on suffering, compulsion, and the inescapable nature of personal anguish.
Who directed the animated short film 919?
919 was directed by Tai Ishii, a filmmaker associated with Tokyo University of the Arts. The short film was produced under the university's acclaimed animation program, which has a strong tradition of nurturing distinctive and artistically ambitious animated works.
How long is the animated short 919?
919 has a runtime of just five minutes, making it a compact short film. Despite its brief duration, the work delivers a concentrated emotional and visual experience, exploring themes of pain and compulsion through expressive animation rooted in the Tokyo University of the Arts tradition.
Where can you watch the short film 919?
919 may be available to stream or view through select platforms. You can check current streaming availability and viewing options for your region via JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date information on where the film can be watched online or through digital rental and purchase services.
What does the demon symbolize in 919?
In 919, the demon that pursues the man along the beach is explicitly described as a manifestation of the man's own pain. The film uses this supernatural figure as a visual metaphor for chronic or inescapable suffering, exploring how people simultaneously flee from and are drawn back toward their deepest sources of anguish.
When and where was 919 released?
919 had its initial release in Japan on February 12, 2022, followed by a screening in Germany on May 24, 2022. The film's international festival presence reflects the global interest in short-form animation emerging from Japanese art school programs.
What language is the short film 919 in?
919 is a Japanese-language production. It was made in Japan by Tai Ishii through Tokyo University of the Arts, and the spoken language featured in the film is Japanese. As a short animated work, its visual storytelling largely transcends language barriers.
What are films similar to 919?
Viewers who appreciate 919 may enjoy other contemplative animated short films such as Nocturne (2017), Minamo (2003), After the Rain (2018), and Tomorrow I Will Be Dirt (2019). These works share a similar focus on mood-driven, artistically expressive animation that prioritizes emotional atmosphere over conventional narrative.
More About 919
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