Cottontail (2023)

Patrick Dickinson, who is primarily known as a director and producer of short films and television series, has taken his first step into feature films with his latest movie, “Cottontail.” The film premiered at the Rome Film Festival last year, where it won the award for best debut feature film.

The English director’s “Cottontail” is adapted from his 2013 short film “Usagi-san” and follows the journey of Kenzaburo, who embarks on a new chapter in life after the loss of his wife to dementia. The film is noted for its deep emotional storytelling and character development.

Although the director studied Japanese cinema in Oxford and his style has been compared to that of Japanese master Yasujiro Ozu, other than Kenzaburo’s appearance and hat, there doesn’t seem to be much direct resemblance to Ozu’s style. The film begins by focusing on a nihilistic character who attempts to live in his memories, disconnected from reality (the octopus scene is particularly striking in this regard), but soon shifts to more conventional narrative patterns. Throughout the film, we move between past and present with time jumps, observing intense emotions emerging, while the narrative style leaves little room for the audience to interpret.

The film focuses on family dynamics, the father-son relationship, and the struggle of an elderly, stubborn father with himself, but the storytelling does not offer much beyond a conventional approach. The acting is impactful, though there isn’t much technically

noteworthy; frequent use of close-up and handheld shots tends to distract rather than add to the film.

The invisible hand of the mother serves as a bridge throughout the film, connecting father and son and culminating in a happy family tableau. “Cottontail” manages to satisfy mainstream audiences despite its slow pace, reflecting the director’s departure from his experimental past towards a more traditional cinematographic approach.

“Cottontail” is currently being showcased in the Young Masters section of the Istanbul Film Festival.

Nil Birinci