AGUA

海をまとい、海をおどる

Short, Web / New Media, Experimental,

Japan

2025

Runtime, min

A contemporary dance film themed around Water, created as part of an ongoing series exploring the four classical elements—Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. The work contemplates the boundary between the self and the world, translating vast universal narratives into intimate landscapes upon the skin. The subtitle VIEW ON SKIN reflects a desire to project the expanse of nature onto the body as a living canvas. Featuring Hana Sakai, one of Japan’s leading ballet dancers, and Joji Akutsu, a young principal dancer. Choreography by Yasutake Shimaji, known for his work with Noism, Forsythe Company, and his international performances with Sakai in the duo Altneu. Music by Tsuquisiqua — a collaboration between cellist Udai Shika and actress Tomoko Nakajima. Costume design by Takayuki Suzuki (costume cooperation), makeup by Michiru, a beauty director known for her pursuit of natural, inner radiance. Directed and filmed by Yukiko Fujinaga, produced by Yoshihito Sasaguchi. The 4.5-minute film was shot along Japan’s serene coastline, with the ending featuring the logos of Iro.MAGAZINE and the costume cooperation.

Director:

Yukiko Fujinaga

Selections and Awards:

REVIEWS:

A very beautiful, sensual composition. The combination of music, dance, and landscape is so harmonious that it is hard to single out just one thing. A feeling of meditative calm. Thank you!

Live Screenings Attendee

I enjoyed the focus on the textures: sand, skin, water. Very relaxing.

Andres Martinez Hernandez

The cello music by Tsuquisiqua creates a perfect melancholic yet peaceful atmosphere. It is very short, jsut under 5 minutes, but it manages to slow down time.

Victoria Nguyen

Visuals 10/10. The makeup is so natural, it makes the dancers look like they were born from the ocean.

Alejandro Rüdin

Technically perfect, but felt a bit too much like a high-end perfume commercial to me. Beautiful shots of the Japanese coast and great dancers, undoubtedly, but I missed a deeper emotional narrative. It is very aesthetic focused. Good, but brief.

Rossi Matteo

A serene meditation on the element of Water.

Kevin Lacombe

Hana Sakai and Joji Akutsu together? A dream! The choreography by Yasutake Shimaji is unmistakable, so fluid yet precise. I love the concept of View on Skin. Seeing the water droplets on their bodies and the way the natural light hits the coastline. it really feels like the boundary between human and nature disappears. It’s exquisite, like a moving painting.

Ayumi Kobayashi

Chic, sensory, and incredibly beautiful. You can tell this was produced by a magazine. the aesthetic is flawless. The costume design is subtle but effective, letting the dancers' movements shine. It feels less like a traditional film and more like high art fashion videography. I felt the sea spray just watching it.

Camille Dupont