“From these pockets, a deadly gas escapes.”

The 1995 sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway, revealing the flaws of Japanese society, led Murakami to return to live in his native country to examine it. 

With “Haruki Murakami, From Underground to 1Q84,” Claire Laborey offers a documentary not so much about one of the events that probably most marked minds in Japan, but rather about the author who made it the heart of his future work.

Too BBC

What we learn in “Haruki Murakami, From Underground to 1Q84” is very interesting. After all, it deals with an event that changed the country by using the point of view of a fiction author who took this event to make it the heart of his work. But the monotonous and flat tone gives the impression of watching a BBC wildlife documentary. And not one of the best.

This 52-minute film gives the impression of lasting 120. At times, our eyes close because of the tone. Why make this choice? Yes, it is produced for and by Arte. But having seen other documentaries from the Franco-German company, this is not always the case.

I also question the choice of dubbing with this voice that comes over the original sound. You know, like in TV news. Why not use subtitles and give a more Japanese sound to this documentary that gives a voice to Japanese people? Let the French speak French and the Japanese speak Japanese!

Facts and Fiction

What is really good in “Haruki Murakami, From Underground to 1Q84” is what we learn about the author Haruki Murakami and the way he chose to deal with this heavy subject.

The March 1995 sarin gas attack, carried out by the Aum sect in the Tokyo subway, was a traumatic event for Japan and the entire world. With dozens of deaths and more than 6,000 injured, this atrocity left a deep scar in Japanese society. Deeply affected by the attack, Haruki Murakami decided to return to the country.

With “Underground,” Haruki Murakami undertakes a deep investigation to understand the motivations of individuals who joined the Aum sect. Through interviews with victims and former members, he explores sensitive themes of Japanese society. This documentary approach marks a turning point in his work and foreshadows his major novel, “1Q84,” where he continues his exploration of sectarian influence and the quest for truth, skillfully mixing reality and fiction. The film’s staging emphasizes this exploration of the depths of the social psyche, a central theme in Murakami’s work.

Unfortunately, the monotony of the film does not really make the viewer want to take an interest in the work of the Japanese author.

A Little More…

Of course, it must be understood that the film is not so much interested in the Tokyo subway attack, but rather in Murakami’s work. If you want a film that deals more specifically with this attack, I suggest “Me and the Cult Leader” by Atsuki Sakahara instead.

As for “Haruki Murakami, From Underground to 1Q84,” it may appeal more to people in the literary world, being more accustomed to these monotonous documentaries.

“Haruki Murakami, From Underground to 1Q84” is presented at the International Festival of Films on Art, March 15, 2025.

Trailer