Yume jû-ya

Based on a series of short stories written by Japanese author Natsume Sōseki in 1908, this film doles out each story to a different director for a short 7 to 13 minute film.

The stories are very dream-like with a logic structure from dreams so it's hard to explain the "plot". In one a writer's wife announces she is leaving after living with him for a hundred years. Another has a samurai being taunted by a drunk monk. Another has a man carve a block of wood by dancing before a motley crew of weirdos. And it goes on.

Anthology films are by nature a mixed bag but this one is very even in term of quality. None of the segments are terrible or even just bad. Some are better but the worst is still very good. Each director brings their own style to their segment. Some are spooky, some are funny and some are just plain weird. Of particular note is the very strange first segment by director Akio Jissoji, one of his last directorial jobs. The beautiful animated seventh dream by Final Fantasy designer Yoshitaka Amano and the final darkly comic dream by cult director Yudai Yamaguchi are standouts as well although other segments are noteworthy in their own ways.

One of the best anthology films I've seen recently. If you are looking for a storyline go elsewhere but for a rewarding walk in dreamtime this is an excellent choice. Recommended.