What at first purports to be a documentary on the missing person problem in overcrowded Japan develops into Imamura's most brilliant illustration of the absurdity of "objective cinema." Using only a small crew and no cast, as such, Imamura follows up on one of hundreds of missing persons reports filed with the police. He interviews the missing man's family, employers, acquaintances, and, most importantly, his fiancée, who has filed the report thinking that her own sister has murdered the man. The film takes on a surreal aspect when the fiancée loses interest in the murder and takes a strong liking to the interviewer himself. In the final breakdown of cinema verité, Imamura leads his interviewees to a restaurant where, on a cue from the director, the walls break down to reveal camera and crew.
"Full of spontaneity in sync-sound recording and hidden camerawork, and a startling treatment of a real social problem." --Audie Bock, "Japanese Film Directors"
Although A Man Vanishes has no English subtitles, an extensive synopsis will be provided and it is a film that can be greatly appreciated and understood without titles; we encourage you to try it!