Aya Igashi corroborates with her latest film that she fully grasps the difficulty for the subject to find within the Other a symbolic place for himself
The Convenience Store (2026) review
A straightforward horror-experience that works well for new-comers to the genre and young audiences in need for some thrills.
Encounters | Masakazu Kaneko: Nature as Other, Societal egoism, and the need to look beyond.
We encounter Masakazu Kaneko and explore his coming-into-being as director and explore his creative philosophy.
Short Movie Time: Orange of Daydreams (2026) review
McCurtain brings Mariya’s transition from a space without love to a space bursting with love in a very heartwarming way and visually engaging alive.
All Greens (2025) review
Takashi Koyama delivers a coming-into-being narrative that effectively and satisfactorily blends social drama, dark comedy, and musical moments.
When You Open The Door (2026) review [Fantasia Film Festival]
A rare treat that blends fairytales, gothic imagery, and folk religious practices into a compelling and visually arresting exploration of forced self-discovery.
The Specials (2026) review [Fantasia 2026]
Uchida’s film will not win any awards, yet the film delivers what it promises and successfully pleases the spectator with its heartwarming message
Gozu (2003) review/analysis [Fantasia 2026]
Takashi Miike delivers a cinematographic gift, a surreal masterpiece that stays with the spectator long after the credits have faded.
Bye Bye Love (1974) review
A true classic of political cinema.
Break Free (2026) review [Fantasia 2026]
A pleasant Rocky-like dance-narrative, yet Nakamoto struggles to develop his promising concept into an emotionally satisfying experience.
You Are The Film (2026) review [Fantasia 2026]
Makoto Ueda proves that cinema is alive and kicking.
Fiamma (2025) review [Nippon Connection 2026]
With brutal elegance, Uchida develops the idea that physical reality cannot be equated with subjective truth.
Night Flower (2025) review [Nippon Connection 2026]
Eiji Uchida delivers a highly moving drama of motherhood.
SAI: Disaster (2025) review [Nippon Connection 2026]
Yutaro Seki and Kentaro Hirase deliver an experience that, in our view, has everything to become a cult-phenomenon, so do not sleep on it.
Fantasia International Film Fest: Japanese Films not to miss.
Find out our recommendations of this year’s Fantasia Film Festival.