While Yamasaki’s message is clear, the delivery of his positive message of empowerment would have more gripping and emotionally powerful for the spectator if the sound-design were on point.
Category: Indie
The Hardness of Avocado (2019) review [Camera Japan 2020]
Jo Masaya’s anti-romantic narrative does not only show the spectator the need for the subject to question their own subjective position, but also the importance to take the other serious at the level of his/her subjectivity.
Day of destruction (2020) review [Camera Japan Festival 2020]
“A truly pleasing audiovisual experience but also a powerful poetic exploration of the ills of Japanese society and the need to change it for the better.”
To The North (2020) review [JFFH 2020]
A feel-good movie full of genuine emotions and satisfying romantic moments that also succeeds in delivering an important message to young adults.
Woman of the Photographs (2020) review [Fantasia 2020]
“A powerful reminder that what truly counts is not the relation to the imagined Other, an Other who might or not desire the subject, but a relation to another subject.”
Beyond The Night (2019) review [Japan Cuts]
“Nakagawa, in short, reaffirms herself as one of the most promising female directors in Japan at the moment.”
My identity (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
“A tender and sweet appeal to Japanese society to give every subject the possibility to assume, with respect to others, a subjective place of speech.”
Sacrifice (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
“A compelling exploration of the enticing power religious cults and militaristic organization have in a society driven by consumption and enjoyment and – as vague as it may sound – the Otherness of the others.”
Kinta and Ginji (2019) review [Nippon Connection online]
“An experimental narrative offers the spectator a confrontation with the kind of subjective ravage our pleasure-based capitalistic society is able to produce.”
For Rei (2019) review [OAFF 2020]
“A pleasing and moving questioning of fatherhood and the role of love in bringing subjects together.”
On the Edge of Their Seats (2020) [OAFF 2020]
‘One of the most powerful narratives concerning desire to date.’
Kuma Elohim (2018) review
“A captivating exploration of the conflictual tension between sexual desire, love, and plight.”
Roar (2020) review
“A great debut for Katayama.”
Good-bye (2020) [OAFF 2020]
“A subtle but uncompromising exploration of the oedipal problematic”
The Murders of Oiso (2019) review [OAFF 2020]
“Highly original and touching to boot. (…) highly recommended.”
psychocinema 