Experimental Archives | Otaku No Culture

Why Boys Go to Jupiter Might Be Shockingly Weird for Some Viewers

Dream-like and visually stunning, Boys Go to Jupiter explores independence, friendship, and the whimsical side of growing up.

Boys Go to Jupiter Movie Poster — **Playing at The Vic Theatre (Victoria, BC) From Sept 5 to 11th, 2025**

One theme explored in Julian Glander‘s animated film, Boys Go to Jupiter, is the importance of giving kids personal space rather than pushing them to explore other, more literal spaces. The film feels like a dream-like take on Rugrats. Billy 5000 (Jack Corbett) often acts as the voice of reason among his friends—Freckles (Grace Kuhlenschmidt), Beatbox (Elsie Fisher), and Peanut (J.R. Phillips)—but when he pursues independence, the question arises: does gaining freedom mean leaving his friends behind?

The gang drifts through summer as outcasts, relying on little more than each other. Even Peanut’s “initiation” feels redundant, as if he already belongs. With no parents, teachers, or siblings guiding them—Billy’s sister barely registers—they fill the void with pranks, banter, and existential musings. They recall The Lost Boys not in plot but in spirit, caught in a restless limbo. Early in the film, they encounter a strange wormlike creature on the beach. The brief adventure quickly slips away, signalling a world where oddities can appear at any moment.

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Popurrí Unleashed! Plastik Theatrik May Be Victoria Fringe 2025’s Most Bizarre

Plastik Theatrik’s Popurrí may well be the most strangest piece of performance theatre at Victoria Fringe 2025, and that’s how we like it!

Popurrí by Plastik Theatrik at Victoria Fringe 2025 – surreal experimental theatre still Remaining Show:
Aug 29, 7:30 pm
Intrepid Studio

Although little is known about the Victoria-based performance troupe Plastik Theatrik, their play Popurrí is easily the most surreal show I’ve seen this year. It offers more than a series of strange ideas—it felt like watching The Muppet Show on acid, complete with a few Beaker-style moments that had me laughing out loud. As for the fly-like scenes at a dining table or heads poking out of a pool of plastic… I won’t even attempt to make sense of them.

I raised an eyebrow higher than Mr. Spock more than once. A surgical, alien-like set piece clearly functions as metaphor, with parts of a human body (represented by a doll) removed. The bizarre creatures conducting the operation meep and emit odd sounds, making me wonder if uno, dos, tres carries a hidden meaning. The numeral references are obvious even to those who don’t speak Spanish. During a scene reminiscent of an alien abduction, a deck of cards marked “uno” appears—later research revealed it’s apparently a game.

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At This Year’s Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, These Three Short Works Deserve Special Attention

Time flies at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and what’s offered is a look at the shorts that show why the magic is alive for new talents looking to make a difference.

Some folks may well say the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival moved quite fast this year. I seem to recall that some years had more days added to it than others, and I’d have to check my archives to verify if that’s true or not.

As I reported before, I’ve chosen to look at the shorts presented this year and I suspect half of what’s presented will be available at other similarly themed events. When my focus is on the genre of magical realism, what I offer is a look at these shorts which really caught my attention above all other screenings. Sadly, when doing remote coverage, some films might not be accessible, and that’s okay. They may show up at Fantasia Film Festival or another local Asian celebration of movies next, and I’m crossing my fingers!

Ruya

Sany (Bernadette Balagtas) is a dreamweaver, and in this world, they are more than storytellers. They interpret life’s major events and it’s woven into a tapestry. Not everyone can read the colours and patterns put into the t’nalaks. I couldn’t help but want to be reminded about how strings intertwine in what The Fates from Greek legend weave; however, those threads have a different meaning. And unlike what the dreamcatcher does, what’s made here is more about remembering one’s heritage more than anything else.

Ruya Movie Picture Still

Sadly, after she suffers a heart attack, she can’t continue making this long piece of cloth. And it’s up to her daughter Ruya (Yssamei Panganiban) to understand what this tapestry means to the family. And when not everyone is familiar with indigenous Filipino culture, what’s revealed is fascinating!

I was captivated by the later moments as the film attempts to explain who Fu Dalu, the Spirit of Abaca, is. Even then, what this story presents is scratching the surface. Afterwards, I researched further, and I’m glad the aboriginal fascination with the Dreaming isn’t limited to Australia!

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When Plan 9 from Aliexpress is More Wildly Surreal Than Fantastical, You Gotta Buy It!

Diana Galimzyanova’s Plan 9 from Aliexpress is an experimental film which deserves watching at least once for how well it trapezes through the history of cinema.

Plan 9 From Aliexpress Movie Poster Spoiler Alert

When I heard about the Russian-made movie titled Plan 9 from Aliexpress, I couldn’t help but wonder if it’s a parody of the online Chinese retail giant. Instead, it’s a very absurdist comedy cum fantasy I’m sure fans of Monty Python would love. In my case, I thought I was viewing an episode of iCarly (2007 version). That’s because of how the world reacts, as though knowing there’s a camera following them in their adventure, and broadcasting their antics to a streaming service like Twitch, for all to see.

According to seasoned filmmaker Diana Galimzyanova, her work is a trash comedy, and it contains some dark elements to it. In the official story synopsis: “When an unstable Gothic Princess (alternatively played by Ekaterina Dar, Elizaveta Shulyak and Lilit Karapetyan) wants to kill herself Prince Charming (Anton Medov) steals her rope, she must find him to get her rope back and commit suicide.”

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[Fantasia 2021] Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story

All Nimfa Dimaano (Angelica Panganiban) needs is love, but it’ll come at a price if the colourful, animated feature film Hayop Ka! Is any sign.

Available to Stream On Demand
Tickets can be purchased here

All Nimfa Dimaano (Angelica Panganiban) needs is love, but it’ll come at a price if the colourful, animated feature film Hayop Ka! is any sign. In English, this Filipino word means, “You Animal!” And it’s not meant to be kind. Here, this feline works as a salesperson and when she sells Iñigo Villanueva (Sam Milby), a wealthy entrepreneur, the wrong perfume. He tracks her down instead of going to the store and the problems that erupt between him, her boyfriend and her defines much of the tale.

Her beau, Roger (Robin Padilla) is jealous. He thinks she’s cheating on him and to make matters worse, he’s willing to go to extremes to win her back. We’re dealing with an anthropomorphic take on Fliipino culture and here, the main protagonist is flirting with two huge canines. Roger is of mongrel descent and Iñigo is a husky.

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[Fantasia 2021] On A 12 Day Tale of the Monster that Died In 8…

When is a kaijū movie not a kaijū movie in The Monster That Died?

The 12 Day Tale of the Monster that Died in 8 (2020) - IMDb Streaming online at
Fantasia Film Fest 2021
Tickets can be bought here.

When is a kaijū movie not a kaijū movie? It’s when we’ll never get to see those giant monsters. We’re dealing with a new genre of films because a certain pandemic is changing the rules. The 12 Day Tale of the Monster that Died In 8 is one of many from filmmakers creating something while under lockdown.

In this story’s case, the fictional version of the filmmakers Iwai Shunji (co-director of Shin Godzilla) and Saitō Takumi believe they can make a monster out of capsule toys he bought online.

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