Birds Without Names (2017) review

“Shiraishi is not only able to confront the spectator with the perverse side-effects of a patriarchal phallic societal Other – i.e. male opportunism, but also reveals, in an extremely moving finale, that even within such problematic Other love remains a possibility.”

Lesson In Murder (2022) review

In Shiraishi’s talented hands the narrative transforms into a visual elegant and compelling examination of the desire that drives us all.  

22nd Nippon Connection: Recommendations

This list does not only reveal the variety of unique perspectives that mark Japanese Cinema, but also echoes that what directors, from a cinematic perspective, put into question within Japanese society.

Top 12 Japanese films of 2021

Which films impressed us? Which films should you put on your to-watch-list? Find out in our list of best Japanese films of this year.

Nippon Connection 2021: our recommendations

“While we of course encourage the audience to explore the many films this rich festival has to offer, we do want to introduce our recommendations, films that we think are worth seeing and offer certain experience, whether pleasing or confronting.”

Japannual: 6 must-see movies.

As Japannual is just around the corner, we want to introduce our recommendations for Vienna’s most amazing film-festival.

Dawn of the Felines (2016) review

“(The narrative) fully realizes what Roman Porno stands for, offering an erotically enticing investigation of inter-subjectivity and the role of sexuality within one’s subjectivity.”

Top 10 Japanese movies of 2018

To celebrate the end of this year and to whatever 2019 might bring, we happily release our top ten Japanese movies of 2018.