‘Johatsu – Into Thin Air’ Doc Trailer on Japan’s Disappearing People
by Alex Billington
February 28, 2024
Source: YouTube
“In this neighborhood, nobody cares if your name is real or fake.” There’s an interesting new documentary film premiering at festivals soon titled Johatsu – Into Thin Air, which is co-directed by the German doc filmmaker Andreas Hartmann + Japanese doc filmmaker Arata Mori. It’s premiering soon at both the 2024 Thessaloniki Documentary Festival first then right after at the CPH:DOX Festival in Copenhagen in March. No other release dates or details are available – as it’s just being unveiled now. In Japan 🇯🇵, thousands of people disappear voluntarily every year. And there are companies ready to help those who want to disappear without a trace and start a new life somewhere else anonymously. Meet some of them in a film that soberly examines a modern phenomenon. Known as the Johatsu – ‘evaporated’ – they abandon their lives to start anew, sometimes with professional assistance and leaving others behind. The doc film also introduces to the “night movers” who help people quietly move. This looks way more appealing than I expected, featuring interviews with a few of the people who have “disappeared”. Get a look at the trailer below if you’re curious.
Here’s the first promo trailer for Hartmann & Mori’s doc Johatsu – Into Thin Air, from YouTube:
In Japan, thousands of people disappear voluntarily every year. And there are companies ready to help those who want to disappear without a trace and start a new life somewhere else, whether it’s due to debt, bankruptcy or unfortunate life circumstances. They are called ‘johatsu‘ (‘evaporated’), and the doc 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 fulfill their wish, while Goto is a single mother who is trying to find her missing son with the help of a private investigator. They are all connected to each other – even those who no longer want to be… Johatsu – Into Thin Air is co-directed by filmmakers Andreas Hartmann (director of the docs Days of Rain, My Buddha Is Punk, A Free Man) & Arata Mori (director of the docs A Million, “Paralympic Documentary Series Who I Am: Oksana Masters”). Produced by Andreas Hartmann. This is premiering at both the 2024 Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, and also at CPH:DOX, this spring. Stay tuned for more updates + final release dates.