Nishikawa shows, in a heartwarming way, that while there is a need to identify ourselves somewhat with the ideal image of our significant other, such identification should not be at the expense of our subjective position.
Category: Reviews
One Summer Story (2020) review [Camera Japan 2020]
“A pleasant narrative – full of lighthearted, romantic, and familial moments – that could have been better.”
Fuku-chan of Fukufuku Flats (2014) review [Fantasia 2020]
“With his low-key dramedy, one will laugh, one will tear up, but above all, one will come to understand that matters of romance always require a leap of faith.”
Kakegurui (2019) review [Fantasia 2020]
“A narrative that will not only please long-time fans of the series, but also convert many newcomers into kakegurui’s enthusiasts.”
Hentai Kamen: Abnormal Crisis (2016) review [Fantasia 2020]
“Despite offering plenty of fun moments and tons of silliness, the sequel fails to truly surprise and explore the thematic riddle of the structural role perversion plays in human subjectivity in a truly meaningful way.”
Milocrorze: A Love Story (2011) review [Fantasia 2020]
“What makes Milocrorze: A Love Story truly wonderful is that Ishibashi, beyond offering a highly absurd narrative and rich visual ride, also delivers an exquisite commentary on the imaginary dimension in subjective functioning.”
Project Dreams – How to Build Mazinger Z’s Hangar (2020) review [Fantasia 2020]
“A more daring approach could have made ‘Project Dreams’ into an even more powerful celebration of technology and the inspiring power of anime.”
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.”
Crazy Samurai Musashi (2020) review [Fantasia 2020]
“Sakaguchi reveals that what truly stirs the imagination of the spectator is not shining special effects, but true skill and physicality of the actor’s presence.”
Short Movie Time: See You on the Other Side (2019) [Japan Cuts 2020]
“A very precise and rather confronting exploration of how, within the sexual act, the male and the female subject never meet each other.”
Short Movie Time: A Wolf’s Calling (2019) [Japan Cuts 2020]
“A powerful subjective statement against the prowling nature of the Japanese police.”
Short Movie Time: Wheel Music (2019) review [Japan Cuts]
“A pleasing visual and auditive experiment.”
Short Movie Time: Fuel (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
“Not only a composition honouring the art of grilling and the joy of eating, but also a subtle plea to protect this tradition, a tradition closely intertwined with the flow of nature.”
On-Gaku: Our Sound (2020) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
“Iwaisawa offers a compelling exploration of music’s inherent power, a transformative power allowing the subject to pass through anxiety in order to give expression to his desire.”
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.”
