Directed by Naomi Kawase • 2014 • Japan, France
Starring Nijiro Murakami, Junko Abe, Miyuki Matsuda
On the subtropical Japanese island of Amami, strong traditions surround nature. During the full-moon night of traditional dances in August, sixteen-year-old Kaito (Nijiro Murakami) discovers a dead body floating in the sea. His girlfriend Kyoko (Junko Abe), attempts to help him understand this mysterious discovery. Together, Kaito and Kyoko will learn to become adults by experiencing the interwoven cycles of life, death, and love. Naomi Kawase’s meditative coming-of-age tale is a richly sensorial experience alive to the mystic dimensions of the natural world.
Directed by Naomi Kawase • 2015 • Japan, France
Starring Kirin Kiki, Masatoshi Nagase, Kyara Uchida
Sweet bean is a delicious red bean paste, the sweet heart of the dorayaki pancakes that Sentaro (Masatoshi Nagase) sells from his little bakery to a small but loyal clientele. Absorbed in sad memo...
Directed by Naomi Kawase • 2017 • Japan, France
Starring Masatoshi Nagase, Ayame Misaki, Tatsuya Fuji
Lauded director Naomi Kawase explores the meaning of vision in this tender romantic drama. Misako (Ayame Misaki) is a passionate writer of film captions for the visually impaired. At a screening...
Directed by Naomi Kawase • 2020 • Japan
Starring Hiromi Nagasaku, Arata Iura, Aju Makita
After a long and unsuccessful struggle to get pregnant, Satoko (Hiromi Nagasaku) and her husband (Arata Iura) decide to adopt a child. Over the next six years, the middle-class couple and their young son, As...