The Reading Machine

The read

It runs a compact 22m.

Synopsis

In this Borgesian satire on knowledge and technology, bibliophilic desire leads to the construction of a pedal-powered reading machine. Resembling a combination of gymnastic contraption, printing press and early cinematic apparatus, the machine’s purpose remains ambiguous. And like this machine, Terayama’s film connects his work in poetry, motion picture and graphic design by weaving together printed and projected, still and moving images.

Ratings

Key crew

• Shūji TerayamaScreenplay
• Shūji TerayamaDirector

Cast

• Momo YaguchiCast
• Takeshi WakamatsuCast
• Keiko NiitakaCast
• Toshihiko HinoCast

Themes