Le mystère Koumiko [不思議なクミコ / The Koumiko Mystery] (Chris Marker, 1965)

Oct

11

1964

Le mystère Koumiko (1965)

A closeup of Koumiko's face, taken from a television screen. DP: Chris Marker.

“Mr. Everyman explains how to look like a Japanese and thus impress those wild and not very civilized people. Mrs. Everyman replies that for savages, they look remarkably civilized. Meanwhile, Mr. Everyman, seeing more people looking even more Japanese, is reassured. Mrs. Everyman sees soldiers parading in European uniform. She smiles ironically. But now a number of typical Japanese walk into the house. Her irony disappears. And Mr. Everyman is not ashamed to admit… he is mystified.”

– narrator