‘A classic that offers an unforgettable experience that is as touchingly lighthearted as is it disturbingly horrifying.’
Sep 3, 2021 • Subscribe
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Hiruko the Goblin (Japan, 1991)
Adrian D. Mendizabal reviews Shinya Tsukamoto's horror film Hiruko the Goblin.
Talking The Pictures (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Mayayuki’s celebration of cinematic history deeply satisfies the spectator’s desire to see cinema as an experience that can touch our being and the art of the benshi triumph.R…
Spaghetti Code Love (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Maruyama’s narrative speaks powerfully to the spectator’s subjectivity – his fears and hopes – and enables his evocation of a glimmer of hope that remains present in this…
Mari and Mari (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“A beautiful narrative that seems to bear no relation to our romantic life at first, but ultimately hits close to home.”
The Great Yokai War – Guardians (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“A pleasant and truly satisfying ride for the whole family.”
The Blue Danube (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Epoy Deyto reviews Akira Ikeda's anti-war satire The Blue Danube.
Mari and Mari (Japan, 2021) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Jason Maher reviews Tatsuya Yamanishi's romantic mystery Mari and Mari.
The Goldfish Dreaming Of The Sea (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Ogawa’s thoughtful lyricism that gives the emotionality of the performances their power to touch the spectator and enables her exploration of the difficulty to separate from one’s mother…
Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction (Japan, 2021) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Arthi Vasudevan reviews Daihachi Yoshida’s workplace comedy Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction.
Kiba: Fangs of Fiction (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Daihachi Yoshida succeeds in turning Shiota’s interesting story and fascinating world of publishing and bookstores into an engaging and pleasant filmic narrative.”
Short Movie Time: Honeymoon (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“A pleasing narrative about the arbitrariness of language and culture.”
Wonderful Paradise (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Epoy Deyto reviews Masashi Yamamoto's eccentric comedy Wonderful Paradise.
B/B (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Grant Watson reviews Kosuke Nakahama’s debut feature B/B.
Town Without Sea (2020) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“A visually engaging narrative about the nature of happiness and the importance of desire that is highly relevant for Japanese youth.”
Robinson’s Garden (1988) [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Yamamoto is not able to create a composition that engages the spectator with its highly relevant message.”
School Radio to Major Tom (Japan, 2021) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Jason Maher reviews Takuya Chisaka's short film School Radio to Major Tom.
Short Movie Time: Go Seppukku Yourselves (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“An enthralling audiovisual experience and a powerful critique of the Japanese political system.”
Among Four of Us (Japan, 2020) [OAFF 2021/JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Jason Maher reviews Mayu Nakamura’s short Among Four of Us.
Short Movie Time: Born Pisces (2020) review [Japan Cuts 2021]
“Yamanaka does not only reaffirm that she has talent but also that she improved her compositional style and her storytelling.”
Amiko (2022) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
A fabulous narrative that explores the destructive effects caused by the radical misunderstanding that marks the field of speech and the refusal to speak to one’s child as…
Hand (2022) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Matsui avoids delivering an exploitative erotic piece merely to be enjoyed by male audiences.
Single8 (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Konaka offers the spectator a heartwarming invitation to re-find, within oneself, one’s (nearly extinguished) passion for creation.
Winny (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Matsumoto offers a serene insight in how the Other of the law curtails a subject and, indirectly, sabotages the prospects of a new industry.
Plastic (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Miyazaki creates a moody narrative that highlights the equivocal functionality of music for the subject as well as the destructive impact of not being able to create an…
Japan Cuts Announces Lineup for 2021 Hybrid Edition
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To Sleep So as to Dream (Japan, 1986) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Jason Maher reviews Kaizo Hayashi's debut feature To Sleep So as to Dream.
Japan Cuts 2018 Film Festival at the Japan Society
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JAPAN CUTS Announces 2023 Lineup
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Hiruko the Goblin (ヒルコ/妖怪ハンター, Shinya Tsukamoto, 1991)
A professor and his nephew battle ancient evil deep underground in Shinya Tsukamoto’s anarchic genre romp adapted from the manga by Daijiro Morohoshi
A Preview of Japan Cuts 2021 (August 20th – September 02nd)
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Best Wishes To All (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
A surprisingly satisfying horror-narrative
Father of The Milky Way Railroad (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
By being able to rely on such talent, Narushima is able to deliver a narrative that gracefully moves the spectator and elegantly provokes spectator’s emotions and tears.
The Three Sisters of Tenmasou Inn (2022) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Those spectators that love to release their stress by releasing tears will be very satisfied by Kitamura’s narrative.
Mari and Mari 彼女来来 (2021) Director: Tatsuya Yamanishi [Japan Cuts 2021]
Mari and Mari 彼女来来 (2021) Director: Tatsuya Yamanishi [Japan Cuts 2021]
The Legend and The Butterfly (2023) [Japan Cuts 2023]
The combination of historical anchor points, a phantasmatic romance to link those points together, and satisfying burst of action will surely be able to satisfy those who thirst…
Double Layered Town / Making a Song to Replace Our Positions (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Jason Maher reviews Haruka Komori and Natsumi Seo's documentary Double Layered Town / Making a Song to Replace Our Positions.
Interview with Mayu Nakamura, Director of Among Four of Us [OAFF 2021/JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Jason Maher talks to Mayu Nakamura about her short film Among Four of Us.
An Interview with Mayu Nakamura, Director of Among Four of Us [OAFF 2021/JAPAN CUTS 2021]
An Interview with Mayu Nakamura, Director of Among Four of Us [OAFF 2021/JAPAN CUTS 2021]
Tora-san, Wish you were here (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
“Yamada’s latest offers not only a powerful homage to the late great Kiyoshi Atsumi but also a moving nostalgic ride along many of the iconic scenes of the…
Blind Bombing, Filmed by a Bat (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
Introduction Kota Takeuchi is man of many creative talents, but whatever he does – be it painting, filming, or sculpting – it is related to historical or contemporary…
Amiko Wins Obayashi Prize at 2023 JAPAN CUTS
Prize introduced in 2020 is awarded an independently produced narrative feature from an emerging filmmaker.
Short Movie Time: Bath House of Whales (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]
Introduction Mizuki Kiyama’s graduation short film Bath House of Whales is a creative reworking of her memories of accompanying her mother, a person of Korean descent living in…
The Asian Angel (Japan, 2021) [NYAFF 2021]
Rowena Santos Aquino review Yuya Ishii's road movie The Asian Angel.
Tiger Cage 3 (1991) [Film Review]
Tiger Cage 3; or, Beware of Femme Fatale What have I done? In this world, whoever gets the money also gets the power! The third part of...
Shrieking In The Rain (2021) review [Camera Japan Festival]
“A narrative that does everything well, but lacks the emotional punch to make the experience unforgettable.”
Joint (2021) review [The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme]
Oudai Kojima proves, once again, that the yakuza genre is not dead and that, given the current societal constellation and the various currents within, engaging crime narratives can…
Goblin Slayer II Review
Goblin Slayer II improved upon Season 1 in some ways, like animation and characters. But, it suffered from some pacing issues.
A Preview of Japan Cuts 2023 (July 26th – August 06th)
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Films: Japan 2021
by Jeremy Clarke. So, Scotland Loves Anime is over (save a few stragglers at the Film House) and you’re wondering where you can see more Japanese movies. Today,…
POP! (Japan, 2021) [OAFF 2021]
Jason Maher reviews Masashi Komura's surreal coming-of-age tale POP!