The Japan Foundation is bringing a thematic exploration of justice and morality to U.K. screens, featuring premieres of new Japanese releases alongside retrospective screenings.
Titled “Am I Right? Justice, Justification and Judgement in Japanese Cinema,” the lineup includes “The Moon” (2023), directed by Yuya Ishii, which tackles institutional abuse through the story of a former writer working at a facility for disabled people. Another highlight is Bunji Sotoyama’s “Tea Friends” (2022), examining elderly care and sexuality through the lens of a senior escort service.
Among the contemporary offerings, Kosai Sekine’s “Stay Mum” (2024) follows an estranged daughter’s encounter with a potentially abused child, while Shinji Araki’s “Penalty Loop” (2023) explores revenge through a time-loop narrative.
The program marks notable premieres including Yu Irie’s “A Girl Named Ann” (2024) and Ryosuke Hashiguchi’s “To Mom, With Love” (2024). The animation segment features “Ghost Cat Anzu” (2024), about an 11-year-old girl’s supernatural journey with a talking cat.
Historical selections include Kon Ichikawa’s 1976 mystery “The Inugami Family” and Keisuke Kinoshita’s “Carmen Comes Home” (1951), Japan’s first color feature film.
The complete lineup features new releases including “The Moon,” “Tea Friends,” “A Girl Named Ann,” “Qualia,” “Stay Mum,” “Day and Night,” “(Ab)normal Desire,” “Hope,” “We Make Antiques!,” “What Happened to Our Nest Egg!?,” “Let’s Go Karaoke!,” “Bushido,” “Broken Commandment,” “Rude to Love,” “99% Cloudy… Always,” “All the Long Nights,” “To Mom, With Love,” “The Scoop,” “Penalty Loop,” “A Samurai in Time,” “In the Wake,” “Sakura,” “Ichiko,” and “Ghost Cat Anzu.”
The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation supports the program, with Japan Airlines and the Japan Society serving as cultural partners. The tour encompasses over 25 venues across the U.K., including London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts, Edinburgh’s Cameo Picturehouse, and Manchester’s Home, from major cities to regional art houses.
The Japan Foundation touring film program runs from Feb. 7 to March 31.