Film Jun 2, 2023

'The Night Before Upheaval' navigates the murky waters of overseas film festivals

Japanese indie director Mutsuki Kameyama explores the ins and outs of the overseas festival circuit in their new documentary.

Film / Reviews Jun 1, 2023

‘The Dry Spell’: Realistic drama tackles child poverty

Masaya Takahashi’s film centers on the struggle of Japanese children living below the poverty line.

Film / Reviews May 25, 2023

‘Spring in Between’: Offbeat love story offers a breath of fresh air

Hio Miyazawa brings depth and unforced commitment to his performance as an artist with Asperger’s syndrome in Rika Katsu’s debut feature.

Film / Reviews May 20, 2023

‘Ripples’: A refreshing and hilarious skewering of Japanese society

Mariko Tsutsui masterfully juggles humor and drama in Naoko Ogigami’s dark comedy about the silent pressures women face in modern Japan.

Film / Reviews May 11, 2023

‘Alone Together’ docudrama revisits loneliness and anxieties of the pandemic's early days

Yukiko Mishima’s film depicts the profound impact that living in isolation in fear of an invisible enemy had on everyday life in Japan.

Film / Reviews May 3, 2023

‘Father of the Milky Way Railroad’: Writer biopic plays to domestic audience's love of a good cry

Koji Yakusho and Masaki Suda give strong performances as father and son in a film about Kenji Miyazawa, one of Japan’s beloved authors of children’s literature.

Film / Reviews Apr 27, 2023

‘Okiku and the World’: Rare romance plot refreshing for period drama

Junji Sakamoto’s tender drama aptly balances lowbrow comedy with sumptuous visuals to portray a romance between urban commoners that defies conventions.

Film / Reviews Apr 20, 2023

‘J005311’: Silent collisions spark human truths

The production for director Hiroki Kono’s drama may be barebones, but its enigmatic and suspenseful storytelling keeps the audience engaged until the end.