Category: Award-winning

Gonza the Spearman (1986) review

“A fabulous narrative that offers a satisfying exploration of the tragedy of phallic ambition and the destructive potential of desire.”

Short Movie Time: Yamome (2018)

A pleasant short film that highlights that deception in romance finds its ultimate support in the subject’s desire to be loved.

Black Rain (1989) review

Imamura’s ‘Black Rain’ is, without a doubt, one of the most important films about the atomic bomb ever made and should be mandatory viewing for anyone who holds the promise of world peace dear.

Ito (2021) review [OAFF 2021]

“A charming exploration about the way in which the other allows a drifting subject to moor his desire and find a direction for his subjectivity within the Other.”

Akitsu Springs (1962) review

With his artful composing hand, Yoshishige Yoshida paints how a romance unable to transform into an inter-subjective relation of love can impact the subjectivity and illustrate, in a subtle but sensible way, the Freudian truth that every Eros is, in the end, a death drive.

Cry (2019) Review

“A strangely powerful narrative on life’s monotonous cyclicity.”

short movie time: Breakers (2018)

“Minami Goto reveals her rich talent as writer and director, positioning herself in pole position to become a new strong voice in Japanese cinema.”

The Third Murder (2017) Review

An unsettling and powerful account of the problematic aspects marking Japan’s legal system – a system enabling the third murder.”

Noise (2017) [Final version] review

“This questioning, framed with thoughtful cinematography and brought to life by deeply nuanced performances, will long linger in the spectator’s mind.”