Otomo

A bleak and powerful work, one we probably need more than ever these days.

Schlaich portrays a society in which some are racists who act cruelly toward the black man, and others, even strangers, go out of their way to help him.

The fragmented compositions isolate the characters, trapping them in walled-off worlds -- which makes the brief kiss between Otomo and the grandmother all the more touching.

A potent drama.

Unfortunately, the mind and motivation of Otomo -- remain a mystery.

Not a cheerful watch: It's a shocking portrayal of rampant racism.

The film allots far too much time to the cultural exchange program between the fugitive and his aide, in which Otomo can recap his sorrowful biography to a sympathetic audience surrogate.