A2 (2001) [Documentary Review]

A2 (2001); or, Paradise Lost
     I can’t express adequately what I want Aum to be, but I know I don’t like the way it is now.
Three years after an incredibly insightful documentary about Aum Shinrikyo and the aftermath of 1995 Tokyo attacks, director Tatsuya Mori returns with a follow-up. In A2, we see the crumbling organisation that struggles to reform itself; however, a new law is passed in the parliament which allows the police to monitor the activities of the cult.

Release Info

Directed by: Tatsuya Mori Language: Japanese

Original Title: A2 Runtime: 124 min

Sonshi He Knows Me
In order to explore the troubling situation which Aum Shinrikyo found itself in, Tatsuya Mori visits different satyams/households where the followers reside. Mori records their everyday activities, but he also captures ordinary citizens who relentlessly confront members of Aum. Apart from these local interventions, the viewers catch a glimpse of the cult at a decision-making level: We again see Hiroshi Araki together with his colleagues trying to save the reputation of Aum. At the same time, Joyu Fumihiro is released from custody and we see him striving to create a revamped version of Aum called Aleph.

It is evident in A2 that Mori loses his patience. The director himself confronts Araki and other members of Aum time and time again about the 1995 attacks and consequences of their horrible actions. “Our society’s become so brazen, so hateful, and that was all triggered by Aum. I couldn’t stand to see the whole incident be forgotten, but then I don’t know what should be done. Japanese society is clearly much worse than it was five years ago - it’s definitely warped. I think Aum was the main cause of that,” the director states.

Incidentally, we see a lot more of Mori in A2 than in the previous part. Perhaps in these little scenes with Aum followers, the director wanted to underline that this visual examination of the cult is more personal to him. In my opinion, Mori was given greater access to Aum’s facilities than before. Thanks to this richer video material, we are able to see that the followers continue to worship Shoko Asahara as well as practise his questionable teachings (see purification ritual or meditation while wearing special helmets with wires).

In addition, we witness the confrontations between local townspeople and the followers who reside in their areas. In many cases, the locals are angry and determined to drive Aum people out of their cities, but sometimes we see the opposite reaction. Ordinary people and the followers bond with each other, they casually crack jokes, or even exchange jokes. Some residents say to Mori that it is better to talk to Aum rather than fight it.

From the big-scale events, we get to see the release of Joyu Fumihiro who is tracked down by right-wing nationalists, who in turn get in conflict with the police. It is an incredibly detailed insight into the political aspect of Japanese life and how it was changed after the 1995 attacks.

Perhaps the most baffling, yet unnerving at the same time are the actions of Araki, Fumihiro and their associates. During a confrontation with a victim of the Matsumoto sarin attack, it becomes clear that people in charge of Aum have no idea how to show remorse or even understanding of what had happened. They are only interested in keeping the organisation going, which makes me all the more sorry for regular followers who fell victim to Asahara’s dogma.

Recommendations
All things considered, I highly recommend Tatsuya Mori’s A2 documentary. It is a great addendum to the first part. Recently, A2 was screened at DAFilms as part of the Made in Japan, Yamagata 1989-2021 program. In 2016, Mori also released an updated version of the documentary called A2: Kanzenhan. The film is also available on DVD from Tidepoint Pictures.Overall score: 9/10

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