Saito Kisin’s Debut Feature Uses Surreal Imagery to Depict Numb Grief

Saito Kisin, a cinematographer and first-time feature director, presented his new film 'Kefi' in the Nippon Cinema Now section of the Tokyo International Film Festival. The production mixes four short stories with varying visual styles to examine the complex emotions surrounding the death of a parent. Kisin, who is credited as director, writer, cinematographer, gaffer, and editor, stated that the project began as a series of disconnected shorts intended to address distinct themes such as ethics, hypocrisy, discrimination, and life and death.

The narrative structure shifted after Kisin learned of his father’s death in 2024. As the youngest of three brothers, Kisin chose to center the story on three sisters named Kyo, Asumi, and Kino. In the film, the sisters discover the death of their father, a man who had been separated from the family for approximately a decade following their parents' divorce. Kisin explained that he did not feel immediate sadness upon receiving the news because he had not seen his father in ten years. He noted that the suddenness of the loss forced him to reconsider how individuals process grief.

Kisin stated that he wanted to depict the perspective of someone who does not experience traditional sorrow. The film utilizes oddball humor and surreal elements, including aliens and dinosaurs, to illustrate this numbness. He observed that not everyone mourns in the same way when a loved one dies. The three sisters spend most of the runtime apart, reflecting Kisin’s belief that siblings often lead separate lives without constantly sharing experiences. An episode near the end of the film eventually brings the characters back together.

Visually, the film alternates between vivid color and monochrome, as well as chaotic handheld shots and steady camerawork. Kisin said he adopted these methods to test different approaches and keep the audience attentive. He did not assign specific looks to specific themes but allowed the imagery to carry different nuances naturally. The director noted that staying interested and attentive is important for the viewer.

Kisin produced the film with a small team of trusted friends to maintain creative control. He described his background in using single-lens reflex cameras and iMovie for personal projects and YouTube content. He contrasted this with larger productions where many people may not be looking in the same direction, which can create noise during the filmmaking process. He wanted to make a film exclusively with people he trusted.

Kisin expressed a desire to challenge international perceptions of Japanese cinema, which he said often focuses on anime or mainstream appeal. He argued that there are more interesting and unique individuals in Japan who are not represented in those classic categories. He cited modern filmmakers like Hamaguchi as part of a broader movement. Kisin stated that his multiple roles on the project allow him to prove that Japanese film includes modern voices beyond the classic era of Ozu and Kurosawa.