Plots(1)
Sophisticated, layered book adaptation by Japanese director Sode Yukiko (Good Stripes, 2015) that shows contemporary Tokyo from the differing perspectives of two women. Hanako has always been able to rely on her privileged background, but suddenly finds herself alone when her relationship with her fiancé ends. Under pressure from her wealthy family, she goes in search of a new potential husband. Her story is subtly contrasted with that of Miki, played by model-actress Kiko Mizuhara (Queer Eye: We're in Japan!, Norwegian Wood). She has arrived from a less affluent family in a smaller town to build a life for herself in Tokyo. Two women from completely different backgrounds who meet by chance because of the same man: aristocratic lawyer Koichiro. In shots composed with extreme attention to detail, Sode is able to finely dissect modern Tokyo with all its various social bubbles and accompanying standards of behaviour. She also manages to beautifully deconstruct the typical woman-meets-man story by placing the emphasis on solidarity, identity, background and class. (International Film Festival Rotterdam)
(more)Cast
Mugi Kadowaki
Japan
Best movies:
Close-Knit (2017)
Asakusa Kid (2021)
Miracles of the Namiya General Store (2017)
Kiko Mizuhara
USA
Best movies:
Nobunaga Concerto: The Movie (2016)
Annette (2021)
Helter Skelter (2012)
Kengo Kōra
Japan
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The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
Shoplifters (2018)
The Lightning Tree (2010)
Rio Yamashita
Japan
Best movies:
True Mothers (2020)
Asako I & II (2018)
MW (2009)
石橋静河
Japan
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37 Seconds (2019)
Tezuka's Barbara (2019)
The Tokyo Night Sky Is Always the Densest Shade of Blue (2017)
Kenta Satoi
Japan
Best movies:
Bayside Shakedown (1998)
The Cat Returns (2002)
篠原ゆき子
Japan
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Her Love Boils Bathwater (2016)
Tokyo Revengers (2021)
Mortal Kombat (2021)
Hitomi Takahashi
Japan
Best movies:
Farewell to the Ark (1984)
Overprotected Kahoko (2017) (series)
The Innocent Seven (2005)
Takashi Yamanaka
Japan
Best movies:
The Glorious Team Batista (2008)
Fish Story (2009)
All Around Us (2008)
Ryôka Minamide
Japan
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Sicario (2015)
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Kingdom (2019)
津嘉山正種
Japan
Best movies:
Punchou Gin
Japan
Best movies:
Honey and Clover (2006)
Another (2012)
Azusa Nakazawa
Japan