Tsuyukusa, ツユクサ (2022, 95 min, English Subtitles)

Tsuyukusa
Tsuyukusa, ツユクサ Protected content , 95 min, English Subtitles)

Always Evolving
Japanese Cinema Then, Now, and for the Future

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme, the UK’s ever-evolving largest festival of Japanese cinema celebrates its 20th anniversary!

The programme explores the theme of “the evolution of Japanese cinema”. Audiences will be provided with food for thought:
Where has Japanese cinema come from?
What is its current position in the world of cinema?
And where is it heading next?

I will be at the ICA most of the days, but have placed Tsuyukusa here, as have tickets to see all 4 films on the day!

Forty-nine-year-old Fumi (KOBAYASHI Satomi) lives in a small seaside town located on the coast of the beautiful Izu Peninsula. She spends her time relaxing with her like-minded co-workers and hanging out with her younger best friend-(a co-worker’s son who is obsessed with astronomy). However, we see underlying glimpses of sorrow in Fumi, hinting at the reasons she lives alone. One day, Fumi happens to see a man about her age (MATSUSHIGE Yutaka) playing a tune using a leaf as an instrument. Both bearing their own scars, the two gradually become attached to each other. Fumi is hit by a meteorite – a rare one in one hundred million occurrence – and sees this as a sign of good luck. She takes on the pursuit of new happiness. Will she find success?

Let's find out...