“Amane does not only blend horror and eroticism fluidly together, but does so to deliver a satisfying critique of how social media eventually becomes a tool for male subjects to chase their phallic fantasy.”
Category: drama
A Man In God’s Country (2020) review
“A visually pleasing narrative that explores, with a refined irony, the very problematic dimensions of nationalism.”
Short Movie Time: Born Pisces (2020) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Yamanaka does not only reaffirm that she has talent but also that she improved her compositional style and her storytelling.”
Resident of Alice (2021) review
“Sawa pleases the spectator with his elegant and, at times, poetic compositions, but also delivers a narrative with a satisfying psychological depth and a rich emotional texture.”
Drive My Car (2021) review
“A meditative and intimate masterpiece with a rich but challenging intertextuality.”
Blue (2021) review
“A very emotional journey about the difficulties of dealing with loss and lack.”
The Family (2021) review
“A highly original yakuza narrative that beautifully touches upon the importance that the (idealized) figure of the father can have for a subject’s lifepath.”
We Couldn’t Become Adults (2021) review
“An elegant and moving exploration of a how certain subjects unwillingly compose their own romantic failures.”
The Sun Does Not Move (2021) review
“A highly pleasant action spy thriller that will satisfy both those hungry for exciting action and those who love a dense narrative with twist and turns.”
Onibaba (1964) review
A veritable horror classic.
Spaghetti Code Love (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Maruyama’s narrative speaks powerfully to the spectator’s subjectivity – his fears and hopes – and enables his evocation of a glimmer of hope that remains present in this dark depressive modern relational mess to positively impact his audience.”
Closet (2020) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“A filmic piece that will not only induce a forlorn feeling in its spectators but also invite them to deeply question their own interpersonal functioning.”
Between Us (2021) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“A great narrative that celebrates the energetic art of Japanese drumming in pleasing way.”
Remain in Twilight (2021) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“Matsui delivers another masterpiece that will long linger in the spectator’s mind.”
Mari and Mari (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“A beautiful narrative that seems to bear no relation to our romantic life at first, but ultimately hits close to home.”
psycho-cinematography 