Shinga Ota’s film, “Numakage Public Pool,” portrays the impending closure of a beloved local swimming pool. The documentary is described as a “hybrid” work, blending styles to capture the emotional impact of the pool’s final weeks. It serves as a poignant reflection on the loss of a vital community hub, termed a “third space” where people connected outside of home and work. The film evokes a bittersweet feeling, mourning the passing of not just a facility, but a shared social environment. Ota’s work highlights the broader trend of dwindling public spaces and their impact on community life. “Numakage Public Pool” offers a lament for this decline and the connections lost with it.