Haruki Murakami : From Underground to 1Q84

By Claire Laborey

How does a fiction writer turn to documentary essays to confront horror in times of emergency and shock? The Tokyo subway attack, orchestrated by members of the Aum cult in March 1995, profoundly impacted Haruki Murakami’s life and transformed him as a writer. In the months that followed, he collected testimonies from victims and some members of the Aum sect. His essay Underground was an attempt to explore the deeper causes of the tragedy, beyond the superficial media coverage. This work ultimately inspired one of his most internationally renowned novels: 1Q84
The film takes us on a captivating journey through Murakami’s work. It delves deep into Japan’s recent history, unraveling its profound impact on society.