“A meditative and intimate masterpiece with a rich but challenging intertextuality.”
Category: Directors
Suicide Forest Village (2021) review
“A mystery-horror experience that is, in all aspects, better than ‘Howling Village’.”
Talks with directors: Edmund Yeo
We interview Edmund Yeo, the director of one the most pleasant romance narratives of this year.
Irezumi (1966) review
“Masamura delivers a phenomenal narrative, a true post-war classic.”
Last Of The Wolves (2021) review
“Kazuya Shiraishi delivers, with his sequel, another amazing and highly entertaining yakuza/police thriller.”
Hiroku The Goblin (1991) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
‘A classic that offers an unforgettable experience that is as touchingly lighthearted as is it disturbingly horrifying.’
The Great Yokai War – Guardians (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“A pleasant and truly satisfying ride for the whole family.”
A Beast In Love (2020) review [JFFH 2021]
“A divisive exploration of the various sides of the crazy little thing called love decorated with a demented finale, which is as disturbingly violent as it is shockingly romantic.”
Flavour of Green Tea Over Rice (1952) review
A heartwarming and lighthearted narrative that shows how women, within the societal device of arranged marriage as well as within the modern device of marriages out of love, can find subjective happiness.
My Blood and Bones in a Flowing Galaxy (2021) review [Nippon Connection 2021]
“A great narrative, due to its emotionally gripping finale and the crystal-clear manner by which Sabu explores and uncovers the impact of a vicious environment on the way the subject inscribes itself into the social fabric.”
Under The Open Sky (2020) review [Nippon Connection 2021]
“A (damning) look at the vicious and unforgiven nature of the judgmental Other as well as heartwarming emotionally rich exploration of the importance of supportive inter-subjective social bonds for the subject.”
One Night (2019) review [Nippon Connection 2021]
A great narrative, offering a nuanced and rich exploration of interpersonal dynamics, that ultimately fails in giving this rich tapestry of interpersonal conflict a fitting finale.
Wife of A Spy (2020) review
A tremendous achievement [that succeeds in calling] forth orth certain (indigestible) truths concerning the Japanese imperialistic Other.
The Asian Angel (2021) review [OAFF 2021]
“Ishii’s latest succeeds in showing, in a powerful and touching manner, the possibility of intercultural friendship and romance.”
Lovers Are Wet (1973) review
“Not only a narrative about the destructiveness of male sexual opportunism, but also (a narrative) [that explores] the irreducible opaqueness of the female subject as such.”
psycho-cinematography 