"Ravens" is an opulent exploration of the deeply complex psyche of celebrated Japanese photographer Masahisa Fukase. Directed with immense artistic sensitivity by Mark Gill of “England Is Mine” fame, the biopic enmeshes viewers into a rich tapestry of dark fantasy and potent drama largely set in the 1960s and 1970s.
The narrative magnificently traces the crucial junctures in Fukase’s life and career that unfold as an emotional tug-of-war between the photographer, his wife and collaborator Yoko Wanibe, and the embodiment of his inner torment and artistic drive - a gigantic, articulate raven. Fukase is played by the Emmy-nominated “Shogun” actor Tadanobu Asano, offering insight into the artist whose work still garners global attention long after his demise in 2012.
“Ravens” carries its name from Fukase’s decade-long monochromatic project publicized to extensive appreciation in 1986. The film commences with Fukase’s self-identification with the raven, interpreted by Gill as the tangible form of the storms brewing in Fukase’s troubled mind. This human-sized raven is the metaphor pulling viewers into the world of a not-so-likeable artistic genius who never ceases to engage their curiosity.
Gill’s narrative deftly intertwines observations from Fukase’s forlorn later years into the significant experiences that moulded him, extending from defying his conservative father's expectations to his departure to Tokyo, with his Raven never far. It captures his impactful contributions to the surging avant-garde wave in post-war Japan; his daring experiments in commercial photography, capturing old Japan's clash with the new; and his romance with Yoko, who becomes more than his muse and model - she becomes his life's guiding force.
Gill's script adeptly portrays Fukase's constant battle with darkness, even amidst personal and professional triumphs. The film lauds Yoko as a key collaborator for Fukase, rather than mere muse and wife, showcasing her pivotal role in the creation of even his later artworks, including a series of mesmerizing underwater self-portraits, despite their divorce.
As the story of Fukase deliberately treads the spectrum from vibrant to bleak, the film stands its ground as an homage “inspired by true events”, capturing truth in the core of Fukase's life and creativity. In Fukase's own words when describing his creative process - "Pick up a camera then scream and bleed".
