“Exit 8” Unveiled: Single Hallway Video Game Becomes Emotional Festival Sensation!

“Exit 8,” a film by Genki Kawamura, stands out as an innovative thriller. It is adapted from the 2023 video game and features Kazunari Ninomiya as an unnamed character who finds himself caught in a loop in a segment of a subway station. The only way he can progress toward the exit is by spotting odd and out-of-place anomalies around him.

The film is notable for its inventive plot twists, engaging camerawork, and an unexpectedly touching narrative on fatherhood. Its unique qualities led to its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival’s midnight screenings, followed by a notable acquisition by Neon. In an interview with The Bangin Beats, conducted through a translator before the film’s showing at TIFF, Kawamura, alongside co-writer Kentaro Hirase, discussed the cinematic challenges of a restricted setting, his inspirations from Stanley Kubrick’s films, and advice received from a legendary video game designer.

What inspired the adaptation of this video game into a film?

After directing “A Hundred Flowers,” which won an award at San Sebastian for its innovative visual depiction of Alzheimer’s disease, Kawamura sought another project that could utilize unique visual storytelling techniques. The striking design and concept of the “Exit 8” video game immediately caught his attention.

How did you approach filming a repetitive environment and ensuring the film remained visually compelling?

Kawamura found the design and simplistic rules of the video game compelling, despite its lack of narrative. He believed that by leveraging these aspects, he could create a distinctive film. Discussions with cinematographer Keisuke Imamura focused on blending the feel of a video game with cinematic elements to craft a unique visual experience for the audience.

After consulting with Shigeru Miyamoto, the famed Nintendo game producer, Kawamura was inspired to create a film that was as enjoyable to watch as it was to play, similar to the experience of watching someone play a video game on platforms like YouTube.

How did you decide on the use of first-person perspective in the film?

The transition from a first-person to a third-person perspective in the film occurs when the protagonist—or the audience—sees the symbolic yellow Exit 8 sign. This pivotal moment, influenced by Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” marks a shift from an immersive player experience to an external observer’s view.

How has exploring the theme of fatherhood impacted your view on the subject?

Kawamura explored the theme of fatherhood deeply, drawing inspiration from traditional horror narratives and films like “Ugetsu” and “The Shining.” He aimed to portray the complexities of modern fatherhood in Japan, illustrated by societal indifference as shown in a scene where a crying baby is ignored by bystanders engaged with their smartphones.

Are there specific elements in the film that reflect modern Japanese culture?

Kawamura aimed to depict a space that symbolizes societal structures, with the protagonist representing the everyday worker affected by capitalist dynamics. The film’s setting and recurring motifs subtly highlight contemporary social issues within Japan.

The looping nature of the protagonist’s predicament mirrors the repetitive choices faced in daily life, akin to the stages of a traditional Japanese play, allowing for various interpretations by the audience.

Considering the mixed reputation of video game adaptations, were you concerned about how “Exit 8” would be received?

Rather than focusing on the typical approach to video game adaptations, Kawamura aimed to bridge the gap between gaming and cinema, enhancing the narrative quality to reflect the evolving realism of video games. This approach set “Exit 8” apart at Cannes and redefined the expectations for films based on video games.