Cast: Sabu Kawahara

Direction Shôhei Imamura

Cast Kôji Yakusho · Misa Shimizu · Mitsuko Baisho · Akira Emoto

Synopsis The Eel (1997) begins with Takuro Yamashita, portrayed by Koji Yakusho, a man who appears to lead an ordinary life as a salaryman, discovering that his wife might be unfaithful. In a moment of rage, he stabs both his wife...

Direction Wei Te-sheng

Cast Lin Ching-Tai · Da-Ching · Ma Chih-Hsiang · Lin Yuanjie

Synopsis Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale (2011) follows the journey of an indigenous tribe who live in harmony with nature. Their peaceful existence is disrupted when aggressive outsiders from a different culture invade their lands. These intruders aim to exploit...

Direction Takeshi Kitano

Cast Claude Maki · Hiroko Oshima · Sabu Kawahara · Toshizo Fujiwara

Synopsis A Scene at the Sea (1991) follows the journey of a young, hearing-impaired couple who find a new sense of purpose and joy in their lives. The narrative takes a transformative turn when the young man discovers a passion for...

Direction Wei Te-sheng

Cast Lin Ching-Tai · Da-Ching · Ma Chih-Hsiang · Lin Yuanjie

Synopsis Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale (2011) is based on a true event that transpired in 1930 during the Japanese occupation of the island of Formosa, now known as Taiwan. Over the course of three decades, Mouna Rudo witnessed his...

Direction Kôji Wakamatsu

Cast Shinobu Terajima · Shima Ohnishi · Keigo Kasuya · Emi Masuda

Synopsis Caterpillar (2010) is a film directed by Koji Wakamatsu, known for his uncompromising and politically charged cinema. Set during the tumultuous period of World War II, the narrative revolves around a Japanese soldier who returns home after being severely injured...

Direction Yoshinari Nishikôri

Cast Jun Yoshinaga · Shiro Sano · Inowaki Kai · Takashi Sasano

Direction Masahiko Nagasawa

Cast Rosa Kato · Yoshimi Tokui · Eiji Bandô · Moeko Ezawa

Synopsis Faraway Heaven (2008) follows the journey of Chizuru, a young Japanese woman navigating the challenges of urban life. Struggling with social interactions, romantic pursuits, and job dissatisfaction, she yearns for an escape from the city's relentless pace and stress. Driven...

Direction Nobuhiko Ôbayashi

Cast Ryo Amamiya · Aiko Asano · Tadanobu Asano · Toshiki Ayata

Synopsis The Rocking Horsemen (1992) is set in 1965 and follows the journey of Takeyoshi Fujiwara, a high-school student portrayed by Yasufumi Hayashi. The narrative begins when Takeyoshi is captivated by the distinctive sound of "Pipeline" by the Ventures. Inspired, he...

Direction Masayuki Ochiai · Yuichi Sato

Cast Yoshihiko Hakamada · Yoko Moriguchi · Yuki Uchida · Namie Amuro

Synopsis The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (TV Series) (1994) follows the extraordinary journey of a high school student who unexpectedly gains the power to traverse through time. This captivating series delves into the complexities and consequences of her newfound ability,...

Direction Jô Odagiri

Cast Jun'ichi Komoto · Sabu Kawahara · Noboru Mitani · Jô Odagiri

Synopsis Looking for Cherry Blossoms (2009) follows the intriguing journey of a grandson who becomes deeply curious about a series of enigmatic postcards adorned with cherry blossoms that his hospitalized grandfather receives. Driven by a desire to uncover the mystery behind...

Direction Shunichi Nagasaki

Cast Yûki Amami · Matsuoka Shunsuke · Merii Ajima · Rina Akiyama

Synopsis A Tender Place (2001) follows Kasumi, who is entangled in an extramarital relationship with Ishiyama, a client of her husband. During a family trip to Ishiyama's villa in Hokkaido, Kasumi intends to leave her family behind to be with Ishiyama....

Direction Yukihiko Tsutsumi · Hitoshi One · Hiroaki Hobo · Hisashi Kimura

Cast Yukie Nakama · Hiroshi Abe · Katsuhisa Namase · Kazuki Maehara

Synopsis Trick (TV Series) (2000) follows the story of Naoko Yamada, a talented but financially struggling magician. She forms an unlikely alliance with Professor Ueda, who is enlisted by detectives Yabe and Ishihara to solve mysterious cases involving individuals who claim...

Direction Azuma Morisaki

Cast Tatsuya Fuji · Hitoshi Ueki · Shingo Yamashiro · Rumiko Koyanagi

Synopsis Guys Who Never Learn (1987) is a comedic film inspired by Joji Abe's novel, centering around an individual who finds himself incarcerated for the twelfth time. The narrative delves into the absurd and humorous situations that arise from his repeated...

Direction Shusuke Kaneko

Cast Yûko Mizushima · Rushia Santô · Mizuho Nakagawa · Masahiko Abe

Synopsis Itazura Lolita: Ushirokara virgin (1986) follows the story of Toru, a typical businessman whose life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a peculiar doll discarded in the trash. Intrigued, he brings it home. The next morning, Toru is startled...

Direction Yukihiko Tsutsumi

Cast Kippei Shiina · Yôsuke Kubozuka · Yukie Nakama · Nobuyuki Katsube

Direction Yasuo Furuhata

Cast Ken Takakura · Reiko Ohara · Tokiko Katô · Kunie Tanaka

Synopsis Izakaya Chôji (1983) follows the journey of Eiji, affectionately called Choji, who leaves his job at a shipyard to embark on a new venture. Alongside his wife Shigeko, he opens an izakaya, a traditional Japanese snack bar, on the outskirts...

Direction Azuma Morisaki

Cast Mitsuko Baisho · Yoshio Harada · Mitsuru Hirata · Tonpei Hidari

Synopsis Ikiteru uchiga hana nanoyo shin-dara sore madeyo to sengen (1985) follows the story of Barbara, a traveling performer who returns to Nagoya and finds herself entangled in a web of complex relationships and dangerous situations. She resides on the second...

Direction Nobuhiko Ôbayashi

Cast Ryo Amamiya · Yuri Nakae · Narimi Arimori · Kyusaku Shimada

Synopsis I Want to Hear the Wind's Song (1998) is a touching, true-life narrative that delves into the journey of Masahiro and Namiko, a couple who are both hearing-impaired. The film chronicles their initial meeting, their decision to tie the knot,...

Direction Yûsuke Watanabe

Cast Tetsuya Takeda · Hisayo Ariga · Noboru Nakaya · Mariko Endo

Direction Shunichi Kajima

Cast Kyôhei Shibata · Atsuo Nakamura · Masahiko Tsugawa · Kazuya Kosaka

Synopsis Shudan-sasen (1994) unfolds during a period of economic hardship, where Yokoyama, the vice president of Taiyo Real Estate, initiates a drastic measure to reduce his workforce. Fifty employees are isolated into a special task force and given a harsh ultimatum:...