Johatsu – Into Thin Air

In Japan, thousands of people disappear voluntarily every year. And there are companies ready to help those who want to vanish without a trace and start a new life somewhere else, whether due to debt, bankruptcy, or unfortunate life circumstances. They are called ‘johatsu’ (“evaporated”), and the film of the same name explores the phenomenon in a sober and unprejudiced way through some of the human destinies it connects. Sugimoto has gone into hiding from debt collectors after a bankruptcy, while Kanda has dropped out to live a nomadic existence as a gambler. Saita is a ‘night mover’ who helps them fulfil their wish, while Goto hires a private investigator in a desperate attempt to find her missing son. Taking an intimate look at the phenomenon of “evaporating people,” the film is a thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.