Fantasia Fest Coverage: The 12 Day Tale of the Monster that Died in 8 (2020)
Directed By: Shunji Iwai
Starring: Shinji Higuchi, Takumi Saitoh, Moeka Hoshi
Plot Summary: In an alternate Universe, people in Japan raise tiny creatures as a way to distract from a global pandemic in this touching, off beat film.
Cinema has, and will always reflect the times we are living in. This is why we were bound to get movies that reflected COVID-19. With productions shutting down filmmakers had to get clever with how they could safely make movies. It just so happens that with technology and creativity creators found ways to tell stories, whilst also keeping everybody safe. Notably, Rob Savage’s horror film Host (2020) made a big impact on a micro-budget and high level of inventiveness. Also filmed during the pandemic was The 12 Day Tale of the Monster that Died in 8 (2020).
Director Shunji Iwai’s film is a totally fresh take not only on platform-based films (which have been a thing pre-pandemic, with films like Unfriended) but on kaiju genre. The concept of growing monsters being a normal thing in this universe is not only really fun but it opens itself up to a nice amount of subtle worldbuilding. Genre cinema has always been a safe space to talk and examine heavy subject matter. The 12 Day Tale references the pandemic but not in a way that feels gross or exploitative. Rather, this is woven into the story.
Shunji Iwai does a really great job at keeping the tone very playful and light, yet it also finds a way to express the loneliness and isolation of our times. Thankfully, Iwai masterfully balances this with a strong theme of optimism and how togetherness and friendship will ultimately get us all through these difficult times. I will say as much as I enjoyed this movie, it does have its issues. I think that for as endearing as the movie is, it does tend to get dull in places, with long stretches that kind of kill any momentum the movie has built.
Though the monsters themselves being clearly sculpted clay adds to the low-budget charm, I can’t help but think this aspect couldn’t have been refined or livelier. Even some fun-stop-motion animation or CGI rendering (which you can still do on a budget) would have added something to the overall film. Also, the metaphor of the virus being the real monster we need to battle I think is a good one if not a bit too obvious I know that The 12 Day Tale is not going to have the kind of mass appeal as something like Host had. Indeed, the movie is really aimed at an arthouse crowd that doesn’t mind emotional arcs over big splashy action. Overall, the movie is a wonderful and inventive commentary on COVID but it doesn’t come off preachy in its heartfelt message. At the same time, doesn’t feel like a grimy cash-in like some other films (which I won’t even name/promote).
While the movie doesn’t really deliver big kaiju fun, that’s not what this movie is meant to be. My takeaway was that Iwai made a film that talks about the pandemic in a way that feels refreshingly bold and left me feeling the emotional weight. Though I think the worldbuilding and story could have used a punch up I think it’s a really interesting work that is well worth a watch.
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Big film nerd and TCM Obsessed. Author of The Ultimate Guide to Strange Cinema from Schiffer Publishing. Resume includes: AMC’s The Bite, Scream Magazine etc. Love all kinds of movies and television and have interviewed a wide range of actors, writers, producers and directors. I currently am a regular co-host on the podcast The Humanoids from the Deep Dive and have a second book in the works from Bear Manor.
