More than two decades after the Tokyo subway sarin attack by the doomsday cult Aum, director-cum-victim Sakahara Atsushi embarks on an intimate and profound journey with Araki Hiroshi, the cult’s PR director, to unveil the truth behind the tragedy that leaves an everlasting wound in his life. From a visit to the current day cult headquarters to their hometown, Sakahara brings out a man whose psyche is broken by a vain belief in redemption, and exposes how this cult manipulates its members through mind control.

Genre: Documentary
Languages: Japanese
Length: 114 min
Country: Japan
Production Year: 2020

Born in Kyoto in 1966. He studied in Kyoto University, started his career in an advertising agency and then earned an MBA at the University of California. He produced a short film, Bean Cake, which won the Cannes Palme d’Or in 2001. He has published several books, including his latest bestseller, The Size Doesn’t Matter. In 2012 he directed his first short film, Don’t Call Me Father.  AGANAI – The Atonement is his debut feature film.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Aum Shinrikyo, a religious cult, attacked the Tokyo subway system with sarin gas on 20th March, 1995. Thirteen people died, and more than 6,000 people were injured. I was a victim in that tragedy.

I had made a promise to my high school friend that I will become an acclaimed filmmaker. Sadly, he committed suicide, and I regretted that I couldn’t stop him. For the past 30 years, I have been endeavoring to pursue my dream, and keep my promise. My determination is even stronger after the sarin attack.

I decided to get married after the incident. A couple of days before our wedding, my wife revealed to me that she had once joined Aum Shinrikyo, though she was never serious about it. I married her anyway, but we separated after one year and a half.

Finally, I decided to face Aum Shinrikyo for my own resolution. I convinced the cult’s non-criminal executive to appear in my film. I started shooting in 2015 and made the first cut, but didn’t like it. I dismissed the editor, shot additional footage and re-edited it by myself.