I recently landed a role as contributor to V-Cinema and I have reviewed a number of films for the website. I have been something of a fan and enjoyed listening to their podcasts when they have covered Japanese cinema so I’m pretty excited to be a part of the team and helping to highlight Japanese cinema. Writing reviews is something I enjoy doing and I hope people enjoy reading my reviews!
Here’s a snippet of my review of the film Petal Dance (2013) images plus a link to the full review follow. The film itself is a further refinement of Hiroshi Ishikawa’s style which is all about long takes, unscripted dialogue, minimalist aesthetics, and a love of showcasing huge skies and Aoi Miyazaki’s acting.
Petal Dance 
ペタル ダンス「Petaru Dansu」
Release Date: April 30th, 2013
Running Time: 90 mins.
Director: Hiroshi Ishikawa
Writer: Hiroshi Ishikawa
Starring: Kazue Fukiishi, Sakura Ando, Aoi Miyazaki, Shiori Kutsuna, Shunsuke Kazama, Mariko Goto, Hanae Kan, Masanobu Ando, Tsutomu Takahashi
Hiroshi Ishikawa is the writer and director of popular films like Tokyo Sora and Su-ki-da and I have read good things about Petal Dance – it has gotten a good review at the Japan Times and I thought it was a great drama with strong performances from a top group of actors, some of the most recognisable leading ladies in Japan right now.
Four women who have suffered sorrow in life are on a road trip lasting one night and two days and full of memories and hope of a new start. Jinko (Aoi Miyazaki) and Motoko (Sakura Ando) have been friends since they attended the same university and it is they who start this road trip when they hear that a former classmate named Miki (Kazue Fukiishi) ran into the sea. The rumour ends with Miki getting out safely but is that all there is to it? Haraki (Shiori Kutsuna) met Jinko at the library she works at and joins the trip as a driver.
I gave this film a 4/5 and the full review can be read at V-Cinema. Here are more images:
