Abstract

In this study, Naomi Kawase’s feature film "Still the Water," or "2つ目の窓, Futatsume No Mado" in its original title, is examined for its use of nature and natural phenomena in storytelling. The story, set on a subtropical Japanese island steeped in nature worship, follows two protagonists confronted with experiences of love, death, and identity. Known for her poetic and contemplative approach to filmmaking, the Japanese director infuses her story with visual and symbolic references that function on a sensory level of the cinematic experience. A selection of four aspects of the film are analyzed in relation to narrative composition: cinematography, sound, editing, and symbolism. Through specific technical components of the film, this article discusses the set of mechanisms in connection to nature that drive the story and generate the viewer’s emotional engagement. The results identify a combination of theoretical and technical elements of cinematic storytelling using nature to generate a film narrative that operates beyond the conventional cause-and-effect configuration.