Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2013

There is a long tradition of legendary and renowned butoh dancers doing feature film work in Japan, whether true to form or influenced by it. The dance form’s originator, Tatsumi Hijikata, appeared in numerous films, most notably Horrors of Malformed Men (1969). The other founder of the style, Kazuo Ono, did a whole series of dance-centric feature films using “Mr. O” in the title to refer to him such as Portrait of Mr. O (1969), Mandala of Mr. O (1971) and Mr. O’s Book of the Dead (1973). Since the early ’90s, creator, dancer and choreographer Akaji Maro has balanced running his Dairakudakan dance troupe with a burgeoning career as a film actor. Now, Min Tanaka has picked up the thread and appeared in Japanese films like Kyoto Uzumasa Monogatari (2010) and foreign films like Map of the Sounds of Tokyo, and the new release 47 Ronin (with Keanu Reeves). In Hajimari Mo Owari Mo Nai, Tanaka’s work is like an extended personal dance performance as he wanders through a post-apocalyptic world of dying people, fire, ruins, rivers and cities. Wordless, the film’s visuals are arresting and his movement is as mesmerizing as ever. As danced-themed experimental films go, this is a powerhouse. (English title: No Beginning, No End; 95 min).