Ibuki Kanai’s Intuitive Ear for Film
From the first time Ibuki Kanai experimented with the “blank” audio canvas of a silent film scene, she was hooked. It was as if a door was opened to entirely new possibilities in storytelling. Like most of us, she had not given the full weight to the impact and potential of our auditory experience “viewing” a film to completely alter and direct the emotions we were experiencing. Forty-five seconds had shifted her career course; for the better in her own estimation. Ibuki’s successful work with Seven Look Productions on award-winning films and her upcoming documentary work confirms that the discovery she made back then has similarly contributed to the vision and success of her fellow artists and peers in the film industry. Kania’s work as an audio editor and engineer is the perfect counterpoint to the visual presentation of modern filmmakers.
Seven Look Production’s Angels Never Cry is the tale of a female painter named Theresa who is slowly losing her sight. Panicked by losing that which drives her passion, Theresa finds no solace in her unsupportive spouse but finds a sympathetic ear in the charming James with whom she engages in an affair. As they become closer, Theresa learns that James has a frightening and violent past; one which is directly connected to his reasons for pursuing a relationship with her. Director Janice Woo approached Ibuki to serve as sound editor for this film which won a host of awards including: winner of the Gold Award at the Virgin Spring Cinefest 2018, winner of the CICFF award at the Calcutta International Cult Film Festival, and numerous others. Filmed in Iceland, the story takes advantage of the harsh and cold environment. Ibuki relates, “The director and I discussed emphasizing the feeling of slowly looming danger through the sounds in this film. It was subtle but quite effective. During the hunting scene I inserted animal cries in the distance. Towards the end of the film, there is a scene where Theresa and James were supposed to have dinner but Theresa finally finds out what James’s true intentions are. I think this is the most emotional and climactic point in the whole movie. The wind sounds that I inserted here followed every single movement of the characters’ hair and clothing. It was like another character within the scene, letting them both know that danger was right there with them.”
Due to the success of Angels Never Cry and being pleased with Ibuki’s work on the film, Janice Woo requested her to join the production of the psychological/horror/thriller/drama White Room. Set for release in 2019, this mind-bending story follows Bella, a woman who begins to question her own mental state following her witnessing the tragic death of her own parents. Attempting to regain some normalcy, Bella and her brother move in with her aunt and uncle. The horror begins when she finds herself waking up every morning in a white room and repeating the same events and conversations in something akin to a Groundhog Day scenario. When a masked face peers down at her and black robed entities shriek as the move about the room, Bella slowly begins to pull back the veil and understand what has actually happened to her reality and life. The contribution Ibuki is most proud of for White Room is her sound design of the frightening black robed characters which loom in Bella’s room, communicating in whispers and screams. From the otherworldly sounds of their movements to their mostly indiscernible communications, these creatures are the most frightening and (as we find later) misunderstood in this story.
Kanai finds herself currently working on two very different film projects set for release later this year. She is serving as the audio editor for the documentary film Manipulation which discusses domestic violence and its progression within the context of a romantic relationship. Two women reveal their own personal experiences in this film, in the hopes that they will enable others to recognize the warning signs. Ibuki relates, “I’m very honored that Seven Look Productions asked me to work on this very important documentary. It’s paramount to me to be respectful of the message and at the same time communicate the gravity of it. Sensitive topics such as this require the utmost responsibility on the part of the production team; something which I feel very strongly about.” Ibuki is also set to serve as audio editor and oversee ADR on the Supernatural psychological crime thriller The Darker the Lake which is about to begin production. From questioning reality to exposing the true dangers of it, Ibuki Kanai has found her talent empowers the stories of others.
