The Friends(NATSU NO NIWA)
Dir: Somai Shinji
Japan, 1994, Japanese, 114mins, DCP
Cast: Mikuni Rentaro, Sakata Naoki, Oh Taiki, Makino Kenichi
With a newfound obsession about death, three schoolboys sneak into the home of a grouchy, hermitlike man, waiting for the moment of his demise. Their macabre curiosity soon turns into an unlikely friendship with the recluse, as they find joy in making over his derelict house and garden, and feel sad to know his remorse for the wartime past. Somai’s coming-of-age drama strikes a perfect balance between poignancy and sentimentality, contemplating life and death under a casual gentleness of tone, through an eventful summer of sunshine and typhoon. The most magical and touching moment is saved for the last, when grief metamorphoses into hope.
Kinema Junpo Top Ten: #5
Screening:
In-theatre Screening
THE BEAUTY AND BRUTALITY OF YOUTH - THE FILMS OF SOMAI SHINJI
Full House 2024-08-19 (Mon)
19:3019PE01Full House 2024-08-23 (Fri)
21:4523TS02
PREMIERE Elements (Venue)
EMP Cinemas Times Square (Venue)
Chinese Subtitles
Full House