Introduction
Hideo Nakata released the Japanese film ‘White Lily’ in 2016. Nakata is known for his multilayered approach to filmmaking, in this case using subtle, emotive, grief, mentorship, and creativity to mold the film with longing. While the inspiration for this film derives from an emotionally heavy lineof classic dramas, White Lily instead diverges with a contemporary and modern twist.
As the film focuses on the mentorship bond between an established pottery master and a devoted apprentice, she is emotionally and artistically intertwined. The film is set almost entirely in a quiet and contemplative pottery studio, allowing it to explore the impact of grief, loneliness, and human connection on character development and the accompanying transformative journeys.
Plot Summary
With the story focusing on her, Tokiko is an acclaimed and established pottery artist leading a quiet and organized life with her husband. Alongside her husband, they run and operate a pottery studio with a distinct refined and traditional style. Beyond running the studio, Tokiko serves as a leader and an industry expert, actively participating with and alongside her peers.
A new imbalance is introduced to Tokiko’s life when she meets Haruka, who is a runaway. Haruka is a troubled teenager in need of guidance and shelter. Tokiko, recognizing a spark of interest and potential in Haruka, decides to take her in. Under Tokiko’s guidance, Haruka begins learning the art of pottery, and a bond starts to form between them.
After Tokiko’s husband passes away, she is left emotionally adrift, and the balance of her life begins to unravel. Haruka, deeply loyal to her mentor, chooses to stay with Tokiko, not just as a student, but as a source of emotional support. Tokiko, though, does not respond to Haruka’s unyielding support the way she needs her to.
Over time, the bond between Tokiko and Haruka begins to strengthen. The relationship shifts from a mentor and student to something deeper, marked by unexpressed feelings and shared experiences. While Tokiko grapples with the emotional burden of unexpressed feelings, Haruka begins to idolize her, thus expanding the scope of her emotions.
The situation further escalates with the arrival of a new apprentice, Satoru, who is sent to the studio by a colleague of Tokiko’s. Satoru is an eager and talented young man with a genuine interest in ceramics. His positive attributes, however, are overshadowed by the tensions already existing in the household. While he brings additional energy to the studio, he further tangles the already sensitive emotional equilibrium between Tokiko and Haruka.
As quiet tensions fester, Tokiko becomes increasingly withdrawn from Haruka and Satoru. Haruka, who is torn between her allegiance to Tokiko and her own emotional self, becomes disoriented and withdrawn. Satoru, oblivious to the emotional undercurrents, now finds himself in conflict with both women.
Ultimately, the accumulation of emotional stresses becomes intensely volatile. After a significant incident with Haruka, Tokiko is forced to grapple with the consequences of her actions and how her behavior has impacted those within her orbit. In the last moments of the film, Haruka is back in the studio, noticeably affected by her experiences with Tokiko, but still bearing the emotional residue of her time with her. Their wordless interaction hints toward the potential for reconciliation, however, all of it remains unvoiced.
Performances and Characters
As a character, she has moments of profound emotional vulnerability, as seen from the period of inner turmoil she enters after the passing of her husband. Both a mentor and a conflicted, deeply flawed persona, she struggles with her profound emotional grief and pervasive loss.
Emotionally honest and quietly resilient, Haruka embodies a character who, through a narrative arc driven from the emotional core of the story, has the ability to endure and overcome. Initially, she is a lost soul but benefits from the structure and purpose enabled by pottery and her mentor, Tokiko.
Representing contrast and perspective, Satoru is a character imbued with a sense of earnest simplicity. He is a catalyst for new dynamics within the studio, serving to enliven the narrative with his emotional perspective and enliven the tension of the other characters. He is introduced later in the film, therefore his impact is heightened through contrast.
Cinematography and Artistic Direction
The character-driven, quiet emotional struggles of the characters is especially highlighted with the contrast of serenity. The pottery studio is a traditional one, set in the heart of Japan and serves as the film’s primary location. The use of close-up shots of the hands shaping the clay, and the infusion of wind, water as well as the sounds of the kiln’s fire, evokes the feeling of reflecting zen, enhancing the tone. The careful composition of long takes through quiet evenings, calm and unhurried, is a soothing sound.
Using a gentle color palette composed of earth tones, muted whites, and natural colors of clay evokes peace and contemplation. Throughout the film, pottery art serves as a visual metaphor: shaping, reshaping, breaking, repairing, holding, and releasing. These processes reflect the emotional states and evolving relationships of the characters.
The film’s quiet pacing and the composition of the shots create space for the audience to engage with the characters’ feelings. Body language, gestures, and silence do much of the work in communicating the story, allowing the viewer to feel the story rather than solely react to it.
Themes and Symbolism
- Healing Through Art
Art becomes a therapeutic outlet, and in this case pottery is much more than a craft. It serves as a means of connection for Haruka, while for Tokiko it becomes an emotional stabilizer.
- Grief and Solitude
Through Tokiko’s story, we witness the impact of unresolved grief on relationships and decision-making. Rather than dramatic outbursts, her struggle manifests as quiet withdrawal.
- Devotion and Boundaries
The film examines the space between emotional intimacy and the boundaries that protect well-being. Admiration becomes dependency for Haruka, and an inability to express feelings creates confusion and pain for Tokiko.
- Mentorship and Influence
In this context, mentorship extends beyond mere skill-sharing. It focuses more on trust, emotional stewardship, and the burdens and privileges that come with shaping another individual’s growth.
- Cycles of Return
The final segment of the film seems to imply that some emotional ties, though they may become loose or frayed, do not fully detach. Haruka’s return to the studio marks the start of restoration rather than closure.
Conclusion
White Lily is an emotionally quiet and reflective film focused on the intricate interactions of emotional growth, artistic dedication, and humanity. It is not concerned with offering viewers clear resolutions or dramatic turns. Rather, it is an invitation to contemplate the ways human connections shift and the profound influence people have on one another, even in silence.
Centered on the characters’ inner worlds, the film is visually anchored in the art of pottery, creating a profoundly contemplative watch. Through care, patience, and the willingness try, we are gently reminded that, like clay, people can be shaped over time.
Watch Free Movies on Fmovies