Film Jul 21, 2023
Foolish Piggies Films keeps humor at its heart
Indie director Hirobumi Watanabe looks back on 10 years of making distinctive, micro-budget films with his brother and seeking out new challenges on and off screen.
Film / Reviews Jul 20, 2023
‘12 Months of Kai’: When Prince Charming is too perfect to be real
Mutsuki Kameyama’s sci-fi romance about a woman who falls in love with a handsome humanoid delves into the difficulties of “unconventional” relationships.
Film / Reviews Jul 13, 2023
'Techno Brothers': Off-kilter road trip comedy pays homage to techno pioneers
Hirobumi Watanabe finds inspiration in Kraftwerk and "The Blues Brothers" while maintaining his personal style, which blends minimalist arthouse influences with offbeat humor.
Film Jul 7, 2023
Director Takeshi Fukunaga opts for authenticity over 'falsely uplifting' in new film, 'Mountain Woman'
With ‘Mountain Woman,’ director Takeshi Fukunaga has looked back at a time of famine and woe in Japan, and given viewers lessons for the modern day.
Film / Reviews Jul 6, 2023
'One Second Ahead, One Second Behind': Rom-com remake benefits from fantastical twist
A remake of the Taiwanese hit "My Missing Valentine," Nobuhiro Yamashita’s rom-com gets decidedly quirkier with a midpoint twist.
Film | Reviews Jun 29, 2023
‘Mountain Woman’: A steep slope of rural, human cruelty
Co-scripted by Takeshi Fukunaga, the film is set in the latter half of the 18th century with a story inspired by the folklore collection “The Legends of Tono.”
Film Jun 23, 2023
Why are Hollywood films falling out of favor in Japan?
American films used to dominate the box office in Japan, but over the past 20 years Hollywood's share has slowly shrunk.
Film / Reviews Jun 23, 2023
‘Insomniacs After School’: A cute film that barely passes the grade
Chihiro Ikeda’s adaptation of Makoto Ojiro’s manga tugs on the heartstrings but feels devoid of a truly compelling conflict.
Film Jun 14, 2023
A few small tips for the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia
Our film critic provides his recommendations for Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, which is currently unspooling at cinemas across Tokyo.
Film / Reviews Jun 8, 2023
‘Dreaming in Between’: Thoughtful character study stimulates self-reflection
Acting veteran Ken Mitsuishi portrays a flawed middle-aged man facing the end of his life with depth and pathos in Ryutaro Ninomiya’s drama.