About the Original Short Film Series W∞
A Relentless Pursuit of Art
I still vividly remember the first time I visited Onomichi, Hiroshima. It felt as though the flow of time was different, as if there was a distortion in space-time, a sense of entering an alternate dimension. It was the summer of 2002. Initially there for sightseeing, I found myself increasingly inspired as I wandered around with my digital camera, capturing various shots. A powerful surge of creative imagination seemed to flow from my heart. Determined, I decided to return next time with a video camera and create a short film.
Visualizing the scenes and story in my mind based on that initial visit, the film was already completed in my imagination. I returned a year later in the height of summer. The shooting was grueling—sweating through countless trips up and down the hills and drinking numerous bottles of vending machine tea—but it became a cherished memory. I poured all my skill and imagination into the editing, and thus, the first film of the W∞ series, "W∞ - Onomichi in Hiroshima," was born. The name W∞ symbolizes the idea of infinite warp.
This short film was unlike any typical short film. It did not have a coherent story, clear characters, or fixed dialogues. Instead, it was shot based on spontaneous inspiration, and the images were connected intuitively—a style that has since become my standard approach. From the beginning, the goal was to challenge film festivals. I believed that winning awards would enhance QOOV’s branding and benefit our work.
In the early 2000s, submitting films was done via DVD, a process requiring finding film festivals accepting entries on portal sites and using FedEx or EMS, which was quite costly. I limited my submissions to about five destinations. Eventually, I received good news from one of these, a Spanish film festival. The film was selected as a finalist, though I could not attend the awards ceremony due to work commitments. It was thrilling to be a finalist on my first attempt. To my surprise, the film was categorized as "Experimental," despite my initial lack of understanding of genres. It turned out that my work, which was more focused on imagery than narrative, fell into the experimental category. I felt an odd sense of validation and a boost in excitement.
The W∞ series then embarked on a remarkable journey. Each new work garnered awards at festivals across Spain, Greece, Serbia, and more. The inclusion of unique Japanese landscapes likely contributed to the interest, leading me to experiment with more abstract, collage-like techniques. The films became increasingly complex, and while initial successes were achieved with a few submissions, the entry rate began to decline as the works grew more challenging. Despite this, I remained committed to my artistic vision.
In 2009, I completed "W∞ - syncronize -," a highly abstract yet innovative film, and decided to pause my creative activities due to various challenges that prevented me from dedicating time to personal projects. This hiatus lasted for 11 years, a period marked by a lack of creative output.
During this time, I grappled with a significant personal complex. Despite multiple awards across the W∞ series, I had yet to win the coveted Grand Prix. I was determined not to end without this prestigious accolade. However, due to certain circumstances, returning to Onomichi for filming was not an option. I had to find another way to create. I decided to use unused footage from the past and add new, inspired scenes to produce a culminating work for the W∞ series.
In 2018, reigniting my imagination, I began shooting and editing new scenes. I also experimented with creating my own music, using smartphone apps for composition and recording improvised performances. The result, "W∞ - Heritage of Soul," marked the culmination of the series, infused with the refined sensitivity, experiences, struggles, gratitude, and boundless imagination accumulated over the years. When completed, I felt confident that this film would win the Grand Prix.
In the summer of 2021, I received the long-awaited news: "W∞ - Heritage of Soul" had won the Grand Prix at the EdiPlay International Film Festival in Paris, France. The joy was overwhelming, and I felt as though I was floating on air. The deep-seated complex was finally resolved. The film's success led to a series of awards, totaling 40 accolades, largely due to invitations from festivals rather than my own submissions.
In 2022, at the YICCA International Contemporary Art Contest in Milan, Italy, the film was recognized for its artistic and original qualities in the realm of contemporary art, despite being a video work. It was displayed in a gallery, and this recognition as "modern art" was a significant boost to my confidence.
Though the W∞ series has concluded, I continue to seek new inspiration and am determined to embark on future creative challenges.
April 2024
Takeshi Inoue
W∞ SHOWREEL
The W∞ series is currently unpublished, but a digest SHOWREEL of scenes is available for viewing.
W∞ - Heritage of Soul -
2019
7:53
The final chapter of the W∞ series, characterized by its innovative style, explores the theme of "space-time." This masterpiece, enriched with the sensibilities and experiences honed in Onomichi, reflects struggles, gratitude, and boundless imagination. It has achieved a landmark with forty Grand Prix awards.
W∞ - syncronize -
2008
3:30
Past, Present, Future...
While we often perceive time as a continuous flow, it is, in fact, a mere illusion. In Onomichi, Japan—a place brimming with cosmic vibrations—one can profoundly experience this absence of linear time.
W∞ - ZOOOOMINOUT -
2007
4:55
In the enigmatic Onomichi, time flows in unusual ways. Rainy days are particularly prone to distortions of space-time. Yet, there is a presence here that wields control over the very fabric of time and space...
W∞ - Fragment of Memories -
2006
6:02
Onomichi is a realm where various streams of time converge. Time may drift slowly or rush rapidly, and there are moments when it feels as though one has slipped into another dimension. From the hilltops overlooking the city, fragments of memory resurface with vivid clarity.
W∞ - Take a chance -
2004
2:48
Like a bird soaring high in the sky, I yearn to rise ever higher. Embrace challenges without fear of failure! Opportunities abound, and I am determined to seize them.
W∞ - Onomichi in Hiroshima -
2002
6:34
Time twists and bends. This is the inaugural episode of the W∞ series and the very foundation of QOOV.