“Kusano succeeds in delivering a quite atypical romance narrative.”
Category: Romance
The End Of The Pale Hour (2021) review [22nd Nippon Connection]
Matsumoto delivers an amazing narrative that allows the spectator to realize that imaginary pleasure offers little protection against the oppressing demands of the society and imaginary injuries dealt by others.
One Day, You will reach the Sea (2022) review (22nd Nippon Connection)
A splendid experience whose themes of loss, failed encounters, and unresolved desires do not fail to touch the spectator deeply.
Ninja Girl (2021) review [22nd Nippon connection]
“A political satire that will not fail to please audiences, but lacks the thematical punch to make a statement that will long linger in the spectator’s mind.”
Backlight (2021) [22nd Nippon Connection]
An elegantly constructed and highly impactful exploration of the inhibiting fear of being rejected by one’s beloved.
Just Remembering (2022) review [22nd Nippon Connection]
An experience that will stir the spectator’s unconscious and affect his heart.
A Madder Red (2021) review [Nippon Connection 2022]
Machiko Ono and Yuki Katayama breathe extra-ordinary life and realism into the pain, the hopes, the white lies, the tears, the smiles, and the anger of contemporary female subjects subjected to a phallically-structured societal system. Highly recommended.
Stigmatized Properties (2020) review
“A horror without well-developed horror and a romance story without satisfying romantic moments.”
Travels of Hibari and Chiemi 2: The Lovebird’s 1000 Ryo Umbrella (1963) review
“A highly enjoyable sequel that, once more, delivers heart-warming light-heartedness, comical action-sequences, and touching musical moments.”
Travels of Hibari and Chiemi: The Tumultuous Journey (1962) review
“This film remains, after all these years, a highly enjoyable narrative that succeeds to please the spectator with heart-warming light-heartedness, comical action, and beautiful musical moments.”
Gonza the Spearman (1986) review
“A fabulous narrative that offers a satisfying exploration of the tragedy of phallic ambition and the destructive potential of desire.”
Journey To The Shore (2015) review
“An elegant and touching exploration of arrested mourning, unresolved subjective regrets, and the impact of unfinished business on the deceived or the living subject.”
Pieta In The Toilet (2015) review
Matsunaga delivers a beautiful and highly emotional experience that will leave no one unaffected.
A Liar And a Broken Girl (2010) review
“Seta’s first narrative hits some false notes, but these cannot derail Seta’s first-feature film nor radically complicate the spectator’s pleasure.”
Our House Party (2022) review [OAFF 2022]
Kawanobe delivers a very touching and emotional story about homosexuality in Japan.