Aspiring cartoonist Harutoshi goes on a mini break with his university friends. First he hears the news that his has been eliminated in the cartoon contest he applied for, and then has mixed feelings of disappointment and happiness after a surprising meeting with Saya, who he had liked when they were at university. Her appearance takes his journey in an unexpected direction. Journey Beyond the Night starts out like a road movie about a relaxing trip with university friends, but it becomes more ambiguous as the story develops. Describing his emotional change in great detail focusing on Harutoshi, the film drifts into an unexpected genre and then eventually goes forward to a dreamlike visionary moment, leading the viewer to identify with the main character. Young director Kayano Takayuki’s superb directing leads the viewers beyond a film set in Saga Prefecture, reminiscent of ‘The Butterfly Dream.’ (Martin LEE)