What Lies Beneath – The Intricate Representations of a ‘Dark Mind' in Japanese Cinema
Human psychology is very complicated. Our minds have many layers of emotions and feelings which fluctuate and transform from good to bad depending on the circumstances we are in. In the world of Christianity, an ‘evil mind' has been traditionally defined by the seven deadly sins and, from wrath to envy and pride, these emotions and human behaviours have been categorized as something to be rejected.
Yet, such emotion is part of our nature and, whether we are aware of it or not, it is a quality which all humans possess to varying degrees. Ironically, these dark emotions make life more interesting and provide a fascinating source of creativity as they often add a delicious flavour to works of entertainment. This is one of the reasons why thrillers have been ever-popular in literature.
In the world of cinema, crime films often derived from such darkness are an established genre and, historically, in Japan many ‘crime and punishment' films, like Vengeance is Mine by IMAMURA Shohei, have been favoured by film makers and released to much success. Even when the films don't touch upon unlawful situations, the darkness which smoulders in our minds is enough inspiration to be made into films which are appreciated as relatable by audiences. So, what constitutes an unfathomable ‘dark mind' lurking beneath the surface in the 21st century? Would it stagnate one's life or become a driving force? Would the definition of it now be more diverse when the society we are living in is more complicated than before? What kind of ‘dark mind' leads to an interesting cinematic story?
Keeping the theme in mind and posing these questions, the 19th Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme will select some of the very best films released in Japan From recently released contemporary works, to anime and rare classics, this programme aims to demonstrate how films, seemingly different in tone and style, have the same facet running through them and that all ultimately deal in human darkness. With an assortment of stories about people from different walks of life, this programme will showcase the cinematic voices and skills of both experienced and emerging filmmakers and aims to cater to the varied tastes of the UK audiences.
Film Line-up
Eternally Younger Than Those Idiots (Kimi wa eien ni soitsura yori wakai) – YOSHINO Ryohei, 2020, 118 min
Having various apprehensive feelings about her life, including being a virgin at the age of 22, yet seemingly indifferent, Horigai (SAKUMA Yui) finds some solace in the bond she forms with the reserved Inogi (Nao). However, soon her life will face a new phase of sadness and violence.
First Love (First love) – TSUTSUMI Yukihiko, 2021, 119 min
A stylish psychological thriller revolving around the sessions between a clinical psychologist, Yuki (KITAGAWA Keiko), and a young woman, Kanna (YOSHINE Kyoko), who stabbed her father to death without an apparent motive.
The Voice of Sin (Tsumi no koe) – DOI Nobuhiro, 2020, 142 min
An investigative journalist (OGURI Shun) on the hunt to solve a cold case of extortion dating back thirty years, meets a man (HOSHINO Gen) who has suddenly come into possession of a cassette tape exactly like the ones used in the blackmail plot all those years ago. Was he involved?
Will I Be Single Forever? (Zutto dokushin de irutsumori) – FUKUDA Momoko, 2021, 94 min
Mami (TANAKA Minami) is a writer in her thirties, who once shot to fame for her essay glorifying singledom but has now begun to doubt if being single is what she wants. Three other women from different walks of life also come to crossroads of their own… Will they each find their own happiness?
Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction (Damashie no kiba) – YOSHIDA Daihachi, 2020, 113 min
When the president of a publisher giant suddenly dies, a power struggle ensues. Amid the crisis, Akira (OIZUMI Yo), the capable editor of a failing culture magazine, attempts to breathe new life into the publication. However, those around him may have some other ideas….
Tomorrow's Dinner Table (Asu no shokutaku) – ZEZE Takahisa, 2021, 124 min
Three mothers unrelated to one another are inexplicably connected – all three of their sons share the same name, ISHIBASHI Yu. Each woman must grapple with her own feelings of anger and anxiety towards her respective child which soon bubble over…
Blue (BLUE) – YOSHIDA Keisuke, 2021, 107 min
Kazuki (HIGASHIDE Masahiro) seems to have everything. Glorious success on the boxing ring and a bright future in his love. Nobuto (MATSUYAMA Kenichi) and his disciple Tsuyoshi (EMOTO Tokio), however, struggle in and out of the ring. Will the efforts and enthusiasm of all three men be enough to achieve what they want?
Ora, Ora Be Goin' Alone (Ora ora de hitori igumo) – OKITA Shuichi, 2020, 138 min
An elderly housewife, Momoko (TANAKA Yuko), finds her hopes for peaceful twilight years with her husband dashed at his sudden death. In her enduring solitude, she starts hearing three ‘voices' who attempt to liven up her life.
Colorless (Sarugakucho de aimasho) – KOYAMA Takashi, 2019, 122 min
Shu (KANEKO Daichi), a fledgling photographer, finds his muse in the form of a young model, Yuka (ISHIKAWA Ruka). As his career takes off, and he becomes romantically involved with Yuka, he gradually begins to suspect that she isn't all that he believed her to be.
The Lone Ume Tree (Ume kiranu baka) – WAJIMA Kotaro, 2021, 77 min
The life of a middle-aged man with autism, Tadao (TSUKAJI Muga), goes through an unexpected transition when his ageing single mother Tamako (KAGA Mariko) decides to send him to a group home in the hope that he can live independently. However, the move isn't free of troubles.
THE CONFIDENCE MAN JP -The Movie- (Confidence man JP Romance Hen) – TANAKA Akira, 2019, 116 min
A gang of professional con men set their sights on a legendary diamond said to be in the possession of a ruthless Hong Kong mafia queen. Will their best laid plans for a grand heist be scuppered when other players unexpectedly enter the game?
Life: Untitled (Title kyozetsu) – YAMADA Kana, 2019, 98 min
In a ramshackle office of one of Tokyo's inconspicuous, low-rent escort services, the lives of the call girls waiting for their next client intersect and are laid bare in all their day-to-day humdrum, with visits to local love hotels, and the inevitable rivalries and catfights.
Iwane: Sword of Serenity (Inemuri Iwane) – MOTOKI Katsuhide, 2019, 121 min
A tragic incident forces SAKAZAKI Iwane (MATSUZAKA Tori), a hitherto well-respected samurai admired for his sword-fighting skills, to leave his town and his fiancée as he becomes a wandering ronin. Soon after he picks up work as a bodyguard, he discovers a conspiracy is afoot and is determined to foil the plot.
Spaghetti Code Love (Spaghetti code love) – MARUYAMA Takeshi, 2021, 96 min
A modern and stylish tale of fragile young lives under the pressures of ambition, love, and general existence, which weaves in and out of the perspectives of its multiple flawed protagonists in a series of vignettes.
Aristocrats (Anoko wa kizoku) – SODE Yukiko, 2021, 124 min
When the paths of Hanako (KADOWAKI Mugi) and Miki (MIZUHARA Kiko), who come from different social backgrounds, are set on a collision course over the affections of aristocratic lawyer Koichiro (KORA Kengo), both women realise that there may be other paths available to them.
Liar x Liar (Liar x liar) – YAKUMO Saiji, 2021, 117 min
Toru (MATSUMURA Hokuto) runs into a disguised Minato (MORI Nana) and falls for her, unaware that she is really his stepsister. But Minato doesn't like him and pretends to be someone else. How long will Minato be able to keep up the ruse?
Shrieking in the Rain (Ame ni sakebe ba) – UCHIDA Eiji, 2021, 102 min
On the set of a film studio in the summer of 1988 and trying to realise her artistic vision without compromises, first-time director Hanako (MATSUMOTO Marika) is besieged by problems from all sides as she approaches the shooting of the film's climatic love scene, which is heavy in eroticism.
The Sound of Grass (Kusa no hibiki) – SAITO Hisashi, 2021, 116 min
Suffering from poor mental health and unable to continue with his work, Kazuo (HIGASHIDE Masahiro), returns to his hometown with his wife. Following the advice of his psychiatrist, he begins to jog every day as part of his treatment. During his new routine, he has unusual encounters with local teenagers and gradually something begins to change…
The House of the Lost on the Cape (Misaki no Mayoiga) – KAWATSURA Shinya, 2021, 105 min
Separated from their families and having no place to go, two young girls, Yui (voiced by ASHIDA Mana) and Hiyori (voiced by AWANO Sari), are given the chance to start afresh by a kindly but strange old lady who invites them into her home – a mayoiga (old Japanese folkloric concept).
The Hunter's Diary (Ryojin nikki) – NAKAHIRA Ko, 1964, 123 min
Trouble starts for misogynist and philanderer HONDA Ichiro (NAKAYA Noboru) when a string of women he has had sexual affairs with (details of which he meticulously recorded in his ‘hunter's diary') begin to die in mysterious circumstances with Ichiro as the only suspect.
More info about screenings, schedule and tickets can be found on the Official Website HERE
