Gassan
MovieReleased

Gassan

DirectorShinji Sōmai

2001
50 min

Mount Gassan has been a pilgrimage site for millennia, feared and venerated as the “mountain of the dead”. One summer, a man finds refuge in the shrine nestling in a hollow of the mountain. He has a mystical experience in which he wanders on the frontiers between life and death. The actor, Akira Emoto, gives a reading of a unique work, recounting the experience of the errant writer, Atsushi Mori. Using a simple yet sumptuous pictorial treatment, Sômai takes this piece of literature back to the beauty of the natural surroundings that spawned it. This original television documentary is a true cinematic object: a modest pedagogical tool, an artisanal and modern work.

What critics are saying

Verdicts use the same scale as your list: highly recommended through avoid — plus optional scores and blurbs.

Highly recommended Recommend Give it a go Neutral Avoid

Nobody on Critic, Sir! has logged a verdict for this title yet. The silence is either respectful or suspicious.

Sign in and use Add to My List below to share your own verdict.

Cast

Watching Lists

to create and edit public lists.

Loading lists…

Purchase & Discovery

Find this title on Amazon

Digital

Prime Video & digital

Amazon mixes rent, buy, and Prime in one place — one search covers the usual options.

As an Amazon Associate, Critic, Sir! earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure