Roleless (2023) by Masahiko Sato, Yutaro Seki and Kentaro Hirase Wataru seems detached but is very passionate about turning his life around, with him saying in one of the most memorable moments in the film that he does not want his past to define who he could be in the future. Amiya adopts Wataru, a product of such system who has also seen his fill of detention facilities, having committed some felonies. The documentary focuses on Yuki Amiya, a gay man who works at an organization which helps young people find their footing in the society after having to mandatorily leave foster homes after reaching a certain age. With cultural narratives becoming extinct, there are very few left to preserve them and keep them alive, making the task of teaching the young generation even more vital, as cultural identity is directly linked to personal identity and growth, with the various people shown in the documentary being good examples to this idea. Remembering Every Night (2022) by Yui KiyoharaĪpart from taking a closer look at these traditions and how people are connected to them, López seems to raise a question quite relevant in our times. When combined, all these elements make the film all the more three-dimensional and engaging as a powerful anti-war drama. Oishi is a strong-willed woman who stands by her good-natured beliefs and is committed to ensuring a positive worldview for her students, an aspect of the picture that gripped many female audiences when it was released. Keisuke Kinoshita promotes themes of anti-militarism and pacifism, along with female empowerment. In addition, the film is a somber look at ultra-nationalism and war, its negative effects on society, and its toll on the human condition. Yet, the movie is also raw in its look at harsh realities, such as coming to terms with aging and accepting life and death. For one thing, Hisako Oishi prioritizes presenting a positive outlook on life to the children she teaches, which is beautiful, and the bond the kids form with her is heartwarming. (Adriana Rosati)įrom start to finish, “ Twenty-Four Eyes” is an emotional journey. In parallel, Matsui has also focused his critique on social media and on the Japanese pop music industry and the sometimes toxic interaction between the two. A bit travelogue, very much a coming-of-age tale, “ Our Huff and Puff Journey” follows four well-built characters in a journey that gradually shifts the focus from the destination to the journey itself, delivering an acute observation of the disillusions, the painful path of self-discovery but also the sense of clarity and reinforcement of the positives. Huffing and puffing, the heroines of Matsui's film are going through an experience that will change them for ever. Our Huff and Puff Journey (2015) by Daigo Matsui As Hiroshi's influences begin to dissolve into the background throughout the films runtime, his visionary ideas and that of his cohorts are given space to grow on their own, resulting in a witty, endearing, and inventive final piece with a message as poignant back in 1978 as it is today. Director Kazuya Konaka, of whose teenage years the film is based on, captures their passions and determination with an inquisitive zeal, yearning for each new hurdle to reveal itself – whether it is the constraints of their diminutive budget or correcting the mirrored imagery resulting in shooting footage upside down – and be imaginatively solved as a growing collective. Single8 (2023) by Kazuya KonakaĪ coming-of-age story veiled as a love-letter to movie-making, ‘ Single8′ wears it passions on its sleeve, following its cast as they mature from avid enthusiasts to storytellers in their own right. Nevertheless, a number of gems are here once more, the articles of which are included in the list below.Ĭlick on the titles for the full articles. The selection is as interesting as always, although the current state of Japanese cinema and the fact that Cannes take place pretty close to the festival, did not allow to include some of the biggest latest titles, such as the ones from Takeshi Kitano and Hirokazu Koreeda. With a focus on diversity, “ Nippon Connection” once more cements its position as the biggest Japanese cinema festival in Europe.
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