Zac Walker

This documentary explores themes of tradition in a changing economy through it’s use of interview and dramatization and sheds light on to this secretive profession.

Themes

Narrative

We are introduced to Yukina (later Kikuyu) and to the difficult and challenging world of the Maiko of whom she hopes to become a part of.She seems to be doing well, but reveals she feels alienated and lonely without her family and is worried about her exam to be excepted into becoming a Geisha. The loss of the tradition due to Japan’s economic fall is also discussed.Conflict is resolved as Yukina passes her exam, allowing her to go on to study more and access to her family and friends.

Camera Work

The use of the camera is fairly typical in this documentary, close-ups are used during interviews, occasionally long shots to fully show the custom of sitting or kneeling not using chairs. Focus is drawn to the traditional make up and clothing that the Maiko wear through extreme close ups.

Most of the documentary is filmed inside the Maiko house, and so the backgrounds are all very simple, a convention of Japanese buildings, this works in the favor of filmmakers as the backgrounds are all neutral so as not to take away from the subject and completely relevant to the themes

Mise En Scene

Sound

Throughout the documentary there is diegetic and non-diegetic Japanese music being played, this is important as it is a key part of the culture.When Yukina’s sister is talking about being jealous of her, western pop/rock music is played, which in this society would be seen as rebellious.

Archive Material

Mainly used as cutaways, the archive material here is used to support what is being said if the filmmakers were unable to capture the footage themselves.

The title for the documentary uses a script-like font reflective of the traditional Japanese writing. In the rest of the documentary we see simple subtitles translating what is being said.

Graphics