Watch The Anabasis of May and Fusako Shigenobu, Masao Adachi and 27 Years Without Images

The Anabasis of May and Fusako Shigenobu, Masao Adachi and 27 Years Without Images is a 2011 documentary film directed by Eric Baudelaire. The film explores the stories of May Shigenobu, the daughter of a founding member of the Japanese Red Army, and Masao Adachi, a Japanese Marxist filmmaker. The documentary is divided into three parts. The first part focuses on May Shigenobu and her journey from a childhood in Lebanon, where her mother Fusako Shigenobu was a key member of the Japanese Red Army, to her adulthood in Pakistan. Through interviews with May, Baudelaire provides a detailed account of the political and personal lives of the Shigenobu family.

The second part of the documentary is dedicated to Masao Adachi, a Marxist filmmaker who was part of the Japanese New Wave. Baudelaire delves into the Adachi's political and artistic ideals, and explores how his work was influenced by his Marxist beliefs. The director interviews Adachi in his self-imposed exile in Beirut, where he has lived since the 1970s.

The final part of the film focuses on the 27-year period during which Adachi stopped making films. Baudelaire shows how Adachi continued to work on his art and writings, despite the challenges he faced as a political exile. Through interviews with those who knew Adachi, Baudelaire uncovers the ideas that kept the filmmaker going during this difficult period.

The Anabasis of May and Fusako Shigenobu, Masao Adachi and 27 Years Without Images is a poignant exploration of the intersection of art, politics, and individual freedom. Through the lives of May Shigenobu and Masao Adachi, the film shows the lengths to which people will go to express themselves and fight for their beliefs, even in the face of political repression and personal sacrifice.

Baudelaire's use of a mix of archival footage, interviews, and reenactments creates a dreamlike and meditative atmosphere that draws the viewer deep into the world of his subjects. The film is a compelling look at a crucial period in the political history of Japan and an important contribution to the larger conversation about the role of art in social and political movements.

Overall, The Anabasis of May and Fusako Shigenobu, Masao Adachi and 27 Years Without Images is a moving and thought-provoking meditation on the power of art to shape our perceptions of the world and our place in it. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of politics and art, and for those who are looking for an intimate and nuanced exploration of the lives of two remarkable individuals.

The Anabasis of May and Fusako Shigenobu, Masao Adachi and 27 Years Without Images is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 6 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.