Happy Weekend
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I hope you are safe and well
The conflict in the Ukraine is continuing but the steadfastness of the Ukrainian people seems to have caught the Russians off-guard and Russian forces are suffering heavy losses. Of course, war is bad and should be avoided, but Vladimir Putin needs to be removed from office for the threat that he poses to the international community – he has Russian mercenaries operating around the world and he is responsible for the erosion of democracies around the world through his support of far-right groups and conservatives – as well as the political repression of his own people. I hope that the Ukrainian people prevail in their defence of their homeland.
What was released this weekend?
Love Nonetheless Image may be NSFW.
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愛なのに 「Ai na no ni」
Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 107 mins.
Director: Hideo Jojo
Writer: Rikiya Imaizumi (Script),
Starring: Koji Seto, Yumi Kawai, Honami Sato, Ayumu Nakajima, Yuka Kori,
A romantic comedy about the intersection of one-way love, directed by Hideo Jojo (On the Edge of Their Seats + Interview) and written by Rikiya Imaizumi (Over the Town) in a project where they work together to make R15+ romantic movies.
Synopsis: The one-way love of the film comes from different angles, starting with Koji Tada (Koji Seto), the introverted owner of a second-hand bookstore who is the object of adoration of a high school girl named Misaki (Yumi Kawai). In his own way, he rebuffs her because he still has feelings for his ex, Ikka (Honami Sato). She is about to marry but when she finds out her fiance is having an affair with their wedding planner (Yuka Kori), she decides to get revenge by sleeping with Koji…
Ribbon Image may be NSFW.
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Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 107 mins.
Director: Non
Writer: Non (Script),
Starring: Non, Daichi Watanabe, Rio Yamashita
Non (Hold Me Back) makes her debut feature movie as director with this coming-of-age drama inspired by an interview with an art college graduate, who said that she considered a work that she had spent a year making felt like trash because she could no longer exhibit it due to a lockdown.
Synopsis: Itsuka (Non) is at art university, or she was before Covid-19 forced classes to be cancelled. After returning home to her concerned parents and sister, she finds her frustrations building as both her art education and career seem to be floundering until they can be contained no more and explode (via CG ribbons).
Chronicle in the Ruins Image may be NSFW.
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焼け跡クロニクル 「Yakeato Kuronikuru」
Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 84 mins.
Director: Masato Hara, Maori Hara
Writer: N/A
Starring: Masato Hara, Maori Hara, Masaya Hara, Karin Hara, Mariko Sato,
Synopsis: When documentarian Masato Hara’s house burned down in 2018, his wife recorded the family escape and the aftermath which saw them having to restart. This film chronicles their experiences as they salvage what they can from the wreckage. Intimate family film recordings that survived the blaze form a part of this new film.
Ushiku Image may be NSFW.
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牛久 「Ushiku」
Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 87 mins.
Director: Ian Thomas Ash
Writer: N/A
Starring: N/A
Synopsis: Using a hidden camera, award-winning filmmaker Thomas Ash interviewed inmates at the Ushiku immigration centre from late 2019 and exposes Japan’s uncompromising refugee policy which leads to human rights abuses. You can read my review here.
Deemo: Sakura no Oto – Anata no Kanadeta Oto ga, Ima mo Hibiku Image may be NSFW.
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劇場版 DEEMO サクラノオト あなたの奏でた音が、今も響く 「 Deemo: Sakura no Oto – Anata no Kanadeta Oto ga, Ima mo Hibiku」
Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 88 mins
Chief Director: Jun’ichi Fujisaku, Director: Shuhei Matsushita
Writer: Bun’O Fujisawa, Jun’ichi Fujisaku (Screenplay), Rayark Inc. (Original Creator)
Starring: Ayana Taketatsu (Alice), Akari Kito (Sania), Ayane Sakura (Rosalia), Naomi Watanabe (Sachet), Koichi Yamadera (Professor Valenski),
Animation Production: Production I.G, Signal.MD
This is based on a rhythm action game.
Synopsis: There is a mysterious creature named Deemo who lives in solitude in a castle. Wheenever Deemo plays the piano in the castle, a tree grows tall on top of it. When a little girl with amnesia arrives, Deemo discovers that the tree affects her…
Haiiro no Kabe Omiya Notorious Image may be NSFW.
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灰色の壁 大宮ノトーリアス 「Haiiro no Kabe Omiya Noto-riasu」
Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 105 mins.
Director: Kozo Ando
Writer: Toru Asahina (Script),
Starring: So Okuno, Ayaka Konno, Noboru Kaneko, Wakadanna, Kaito Yoshimura,
Set in Saitama Prefecture’s Omiya City (now Saitama City), this drama is based on the true story of a young man who went from being the leader of a motorcycle gang to being imprisoned in a juvenile prison.
Synopsis: In 1996, Omiya is infested with biker gangs who are often fighting with each other. Masaki Yoshida, a member of one of the most powerful gang in the prefecture, gets sent to a juvenile detention centre. When he learns that the people he cares about on the outside are under threat, he seeks to be released from prison as soon as possible by becoming a model prisoner.
Drifting Flowers Floating Days Image may be NSFW.
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この日々が凪いだら 「Kono hibi ga naidara」
Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 84 mins.
Director: Yutaka Tsunemachi
Writer: Yutaka Tsunemachi (Script),
Starring: Hiroki Sato, Kaho Seto, Yuki Yamada, Atsushi Oda, Takeo Gozu, Yohta Kawase,
Synopsis: After abandoning his hometown and moving to Tokyo, Miyajima begins working at a construction site. He meets Futaba Mochizuki, who works at a flower shop, and they eventually become lovers. Their peaceful lives together come to an end when it is announced that the place they live in will be demolished and someone close to them dies.
Connection Image may be NSFW.
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コネクション 「Konekushon」
Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 117 mins.
Director: Yoji Igawa
Writer: Yoji Igawa, Kanji Harui (Script),
Starring: Mayu Sugieda, Kandai Ueda, Misa Kubota, Shota Kawakami, Keita Seto,
Synopsis: Young actors and idols make up a cast of characters caught up in the underworld of Ikebukuro. Their stories are investigated by a reporter and her cameraman.
New Directions in Japanese Cinema
A new batch of 30-minute films from up-and-coming filmmakers working with funds given by the Agency of Cultural Affairs. Here’s a compilation trailer:
Shounen to Sensha Image may be NSFW.
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少年と戦車 「Shounen to Sensha」
Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 30 mins.
Director: Sadato Takenaka
Writer: Sadato Takenaka (Script),
Starring: Fuku Suzuki, Reina Kurosaki, Yuusei Kasai, Yuuta Hayashi, Yuuya Matsuura,
Synopsis: Junior high school student Tazaki hates living in a boring rural town where his only friend is a shy boy named Eda and the two are bullied by classmates. The only pleasure Tazaki gets is thinking about a kind girl who speaks to him. When Tazaki learns of an old Japanese army tank that is sinking in a lake, he sets out to search for it in order to find some adventure…
Toku he Ikitaiwa Image may be NSFW.
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遠くへいきたいわ 「Toku he Ikitaiwa」
Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 30 mins.
Director: Yuigo Danzuka
Writer: Yuigo Danzuka (Script),
Starring: Maru Nouchi, Aoba Kawai, Takuma Fujie, Kanji Tsuda, Takuya Kanazawa,
Synopsis: A young woman named Sara is forced to confront her hidden anger when she works with an older colleague named Takeuchi…
Nacchan no Kazoku Image may be NSFW.
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なっちゃんの家族 「Nacchan no Kazoku」
Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 30 mins.
Director: Saki Michimoto
Writer: Saki Michimoto (Script),
Starring: Miku Kamisaka, Kazuko Shirakawa, Yoichiro Saito, Risa Sudo, Hikaru Yamazaki,
Director Saki Michimoto won a Special Jury Award at Pia Film Festival 2018.
Synopsis: Natsumi is a child so it is understandable when she gets so upset by her that parents’ arguing that she runs away from home. She seeks refuge at her grandmother’s house as the lady welcomes her in. However, when Natsumi’s parent’s arrive to take her back home…
LONG-TERM COFFEE BREAK Image may be NSFW.
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Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 30 mins.
Director: Naoya Fujita
Writer: Naoya Fujita, Suzuyuki Kaneko (Script),
Starring: Mina Fujii, Hiroki Sano, Mayuko Fukuda, Yuya Shintaro, Mako Komaki,
This one was directed by Naoya Fujita, whose short film Stay won the Grand Prix at the SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-Cinema FESTIVAL 2020 in the short film category.
Synopsis: Yuko is an efficient company employee who marries her polar opposite in Naoki, an actor who is more laid back and lives in other people’s houses. When couples surrounding them start having trouble one after another, Yuko’s feelings for Naoki gradually change.
That Disappearance Image may be NSFW.
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その消失、 「Sono shoushitsu,」
Release Date: February 25th, 2022
Duration: 105 mins.
Director: Hiro Kano
Writer: Hiro Kano (Script),
Starring: Kota Fundauchi, Yuna Taira, Rika Izumi, Kokoro Asami, Jyonmyon Pe, Mizuki Itagaki,
Katsuhito Ishii
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSjxw7f_Vcc
Synopsis: Detective Matsui is a skilled investigator who is on the case of a serial stalker who is targeting four women. When the women start to die in suspicious deaths and Matsui closes in on the suspect, he finds that the case is related to deep psychological scars he bears and that more tragedy awaits him.