An exquisitely crafted narrative that touchingly shows that a simple encounter, a simple exchange of signifiers, can turn a wish to die into a desire to life.
Category: Psychological
Short Movie Time: On a Boat (2024) review [OAFF 2024]
The exploration of the frail stability of an obsessional neurotic does not miss its impact on the spectator.
Sumiko 22 (2024) review [OAFF 2024]
A subtle but playful narrative about a subject who slowly tries to crawl out the hole of emptiness and diminished self-worth.
Suton (2024) review [OAFF 2024]
Rikako Watanabe’s narrative succeeds to echo the unvocalized ‘pandemic’ truth of many.
Amiko (2022) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
A fabulous narrative that explores the destructive effects caused by the radical misunderstanding that marks the field of speech and the refusal to speak to one’s child as a subject.
Trapped Balloon (2023) review
A touching and visually pleasing narrative about the importance of finding an address for one’s signifiers of suffering
Following The Sound (2023) review
An incredible narrative about the subject’s struggle to deal with his loss and pain.
Motherhood (2022)
An enjoyable and engaging exploration of the destructive impact of a subject’s fixation on gaining the (m)Other’s love and that the often-ignored truth that becoming a mother is not that self-evident.
Best Wishes To All (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
A surprisingly satisfying horror-narrative
Call Me Chihiro (2023) review
What makes Imaizumi’s narrative a pleasant and such an emotional watch is the fine balance he found between waves of light-heartedness and the forlorn aftertaste that remains after bonds unravel.
Roleless (2022) review [Japannual 2023]
Masahiko Sato, Yutarō Seki and Kentarō Hirase offer the spectator a revealing glance at the dynamic that underpins the dissociative fugue.
The Waxing and Waning of Life (2022) [SKIP-CITY International D-Cinema Festival 2022]
A powerful emotional experience that shows that only a social bond where there is place for subjective speech can help the formerly addicted subject to avoid getting caught up again in the circuit of substance-enjoyment.
Short Movie Time: Necessary & unnecessary (2022) review [JFFH 2023]
A quirky little narrative that explores the necessity of forming inter-subjective social bonds.
Short Movie Time: Glitch (2022) [JFFH 2023]
A pleasant horror-action that beautifully shows that what can poison the subject is the Other he is subjected to.
Short Movie Review: Faaawww!!! (2022) [JFFH 2023]
Oniki’s twisted finale does not only visually impress but also underlines that the hunger of the Uber-Ich is never stilled.