An incredible satisfying cinematic experience, one that enthrals the spectator from start to finish
Tag: Koichi Sato
Kingdom III: Flame of Destiny (2023) review
A straightforward action-epic that delivers everything fans of the manga and the anime desire.
Okiku and the World (2023) review [Japannual 2023]
Introduction Junji Sakamoto (Another World (2019), I Never Shot Anyone (2020), My Brother, The Android and Me (2022)) might not be as well-known by international audiences as other directors, but he has proved himself to be an incredible talent in Japan that deserves recognition for his often unique but always well-crafted narratives. Luckily, in recent…
The Sun Does Not Move (2021) review
“A highly pleasant action spy thriller that will satisfy both those hungry for exciting action and those who love a dense narrative with twist and turns.”
I Never Shot Anyone (2020) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“Sakamoto creates a nice, pleasant ride, but one that will be easily forgotten.”
The Fable: The Killer who Doesn’t Kill (2021) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“A satisfying sequel that fans of Fable’s first outing should not pass this up.”
Kiba: Fangs of Fiction (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Daihachi Yoshida succeeds in turning Shiota’s interesting story and fascinating world of publishing and bookstores into an engaging and pleasant filmic narrative.”
Hit Me Anyone One More Time (2019) review [Nippon connection Online]
“A pleasant lighthearted narrative that expresses a (vain?) hope for a more thoughtful form of Japanese politics.”
The Promised Land (2019) review [Nippon Connection 2021]
A beautifully composed and highly relevant narrative about destructive kinds of social violence, a social violence against the Otherness present in the community and an ostracizing violence to turn the once-trusted other into an unwanted Otherness.
Fukushima 50 (2020) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
“An effective warning against further relying on nuclear energy alone to power the country.”
The Fable (2019) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“Kan Eguchi succeeds in composing an action-narrative that, by hitting all the necessary beats, ensures the spectator’s enjoyment.”
Red Snow (2019) review [Camera Japan Festival 2019]
“Those (spectators) that give the narrative a chance will become captivated by its moving evocation of the tension between speech and truth.”
Almost a Miracle (2019) review [Fantasia Film Festival 2019]
“One of most original narratives about coming-into-being and that beautiful evil little thing called love to be released in recent years.”
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