A deeply moving drama thanks to Kore-eda's patient direction and achingly naturalistic performances by its impressive ensemble. Preceded by an introduction from IU Cinema Founding Director Emeritus Jon Vickers.
One of the finest films of Japanese cinema, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s first feature film, Maborosi, is a story of love, grief, and ultimately regeneration. Haunted by the mysterious loss of her grandmother many years ago, a beautiful young mother named Yumiko struggles to come to terms with the sudden death of her husband. Yumiko remarries and with her young son moves to her new husband’s home in a remote village on the wild, untamed Sea of Japan. There, she is haunted by the past, but with time and the natural wonders around her, she awakens to find love, understanding, and a sense of peace. [110 mins; drama; Japanese with English subtitles]
“Each character moves and speaks differently, shining with the complex inner life of a real person with real needs, real memories, real thoughts.” – Bilge Ebiri, Village Voice
“The camera rarely moves and yet there are images here as strikingly lovely as any you've seen and others as sweetly alive.” – Mark Sinker, Sight & Sound
“This is a deeply felt film that eschews cheap sentiment and leaves one genuinely moved and unexpectedly uplifted.” – David Parkinson, Radio Times
