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Kurosawa's Chime: NFT Horror Haunts NYC
25 Mar
Summary
- Kiyoshi Kurosawa's short film 'Chime' gets rare theatrical release.
- Originally an NFT, 'Chime' was unavailable legally in North America.
- The 45-minute film explores escalating dread and unsettling sounds.
Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 2024 short film, 'Chime,' known for its unsettling atmosphere, is now screening at IFC Center in New York City. This 45-minute horror piece originated as a non-fungible token (NFT) on Japan's Roadstead platform, allowing owners to rent it out. Its premiere was at the Berlin Film Festival in 2024.
'Chime' has otherwise been legally unavailable in North America and will not see streaming or physical media releases, likely due to its NFT origins. The film is described as a chilling experience, evoking dread through quiet means, reminiscent of Kurosawa's acclaimed works like 'Cure' and 'Pulse.'
The narrative follows Mr. Matsuoka, a culinary teacher in Tokyo, who begins to hear a disturbing chime sound after a disturbing event in his class. The film masterfully builds psychological tension, exploring themes of contagion and unseen forces influencing human behavior, mirroring Kurosawa's earlier supernatural thrillers.
Alongside 'Chime,' a new restoration of Kurosawa's 1998 film 'Serpent's Path' is also being shown. The director had an exceptionally busy year in 2024, with 'Cloud' premiering at Venice and 'Serpent's Path' opening in Japan.
