A Disturbing Reality
We all have – or have had – reasons to disappear. To start from scratch. Probably because I was born with a router attached to my back, with all my data dumped on the Internet since childhood, I have always been fascinated by sudden life changes. And I have always believed them very little when they are explained to us in fiction.
The documentary ‘Johatsu – Into thin air’ portrays the phenomenon of the ‘evaporated’ in Japan, those who leave behind everything they have. Disappearing and starting a new life is almost as extreme a measure as dying or committing suicide. In a way, to do that you have to put an end to everything, with a plum past, and look, in part. It is disturbing to discover that this practice is not only possible, but more common than we think.
The Life of the ‘Evaporated’
In Japan, 80,000 people disappear a year. Many return. Some are forced to disappear, but others, thousands, do so on their own accord. They are the so-called johatsu, those who leave behind debts, murky histories with the mafia, and undesirable relationships. The documentary shows how ‘night moving’ companies help these people disappear.
The Exotic Look
Assuming the exotic look that everyone applies to everything that happens in Japan, the reality is that these neon-filled cities, these general plans, these alleys, these corners… They are rare. They even sting a little. The people who help the ‘evaporated’ are the ‘night moving’ companies. And the ‘movers’ are normal people, who make everything even more normal and therefore gloomy.
The Documentary: A Deep Look
The film ‘Johatsu – Into thin air’ knows when to intimidate and when to be contemplative. Through testimonies and dramatized stories, it shows the complexity of this phenomenon. The German-Japanese collaboration he signs does not need more than 85 minutes to captivate the viewer and make him reflect on this practice.
conclusion
Disappearing and starting a new life is a disturbing reality in Japan. The documentary ‘Johatsu – Into thin air’ offers an in-depth look at this phenomenon, showing the complexity and emotional implications of this practice. Through testimonies and dramatized stories, the film captivates the viewer and invites them to reflect on this extreme measure.