Spectators who haven’t had similar life-experiences might struggle to emotionally invest into the characters and the narrative.
Category: Family
At the Lovehotel (2026) review [Nippon Connection 2026]
Santa Ikegami delivers a self-assured debut that does not easily give away its thematical message.
All About Lily Chou-Chou (2001) review-analysis
A modern classic, one of the best, if not the best, cinematic experiences of the ‘00.
Fujiko (2026) review [Nippon Connection 2026]
An incredibly satisfying feel-good experience about personal freedom, about holding on to one’s desire within a societal field that seeks to suffocate it.
The Snow Woman (1968)
Tokuzo Tanaka’s film remains, up until this day, an incredibly satisfying tragic romance-horror.
Sana (2023) review
Takashi Shimizu cannot avoid his film from being held back from the fan-service it needs to deliver.
After the Quake (2025) review
Inoue delivers an engaging cerebral experience that traces out the effect of the great Hanshin Earthquake on subjectivity as well as the state of the father within a capitalistic and consumerist society.
Unreachable (2025) review
The melodrama does not merely fall flat, but also leaves a sour aftertaste in the spectator’s mouth.
A Strange House (2024) review
Uketsu, your work deserves better.
Confetti (2023) review
A pleasant film that underlines, in an elegant and touching manner, the necessity for the subject to find an Other to commit himself to his dream, to his desire.
This Is I (2026) review
Matsumoto makes a very convincing case for the need for the societal field to become more willing to grant subjects the right to nominate themselves in accordance with their subjective position.
Rental Family (2025)
Hikari re-affirms her talent for creating uplifting and touching filmic experiences.
A Love Letter From Yesterday (2024) review
The emotional drama is extremely flat – and even the sexual encounters, despite being well-acted by the female cast, cannot infuse life into the dried-up bed of the film’s emotional river.
Rainy Blue (2025) review [OAFF 2025]
Asuna Yanagi does not simply deliver a heartwarming coming-of-age narrative, but also a work that has the potential to inspire young people.
Dollhouse (2025) review
Yaguchi’s horror will please audiences new to the J-horror genre as well as long-time fans of the genre.