Soundtrack: Yoshihide Otomo

Direction Tian Zhuangzhuang

Cast Lü Liping · Li Xuejian · Yi Tian · Zhang Wenyao

Synopsis The Blue Kite (1993) unfolds in the heart of Beijing, 1953, on Dry Well Lane, where Chen Shujuan and Lin Shaolong begin their married life. The following year, their son, affectionately called Tietou (Iron Head), arrives. The omnipresence of the...

Direction Kôjirô Hashimoto

Cast Tao Tsuchiya · Kento Yamazaki · Ryô Ryûsei · Hirona Yamazaki

Synopsis Orange (2015) follows the journey of a high school student named Naho, who is intrigued when she receives a mysterious letter from her future self, sent exactly a decade ahead. The letter contains detailed instructions and warnings about events that...

Direction Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Cast Tadanobu Asano · Yû Aoi · Eri Fukatsu · Akira Emoto

Synopsis Journey to the Shore (2015) follows Mizuki, a woman who has been grieving the loss of her husband, Yusuke, who perished at sea. After several years, Yusuke's spirit unexpectedly returns to her, not as a haunting apparition, but as a...

Direction Akihiko Shiota

Cast Hoshi Ishida · Mitsuki Tanimura · Hidetoshi Nishijima · Miyako Koda

Synopsis Canary (2005) is a poignant film inspired by the real-life horrors of the lethal gas assaults carried out by Aum Shinrikyo cult members on Tokyo's subway network. The narrative revolves around two young individuals, both left to fend for themselves...

Direction Shinji Sômai

Cast Kyôko Koizumi · Tadanobu Asano · Kumiko Aso · Akira Emoto

Synopsis Kaza-hana (2000) unfolds a chilling narrative of fate and life's capricious nature. The story revolves around a once-promising bureaucrat whose career is abruptly derailed by a tragic event, leaving him disgraced and disillusioned. His path crosses with that of a...

Direction Ryuichi Hiroki

Cast Aoi Miyazaki · Osamu Mukai · Tatsuomi Hamada · Himeka Asami

Synopsis Yellow Elephant (2013) follows the story of a contented married couple, Aiko Tsumari (Aoi Miyazaki) and Ayumu Muko (Osamu Mukai), who enjoy a tranquil life together. Aiko is somewhat naive, while Ayumu is a novelist struggling to gain popularity. Their...

Direction Akio Jissoji · Atsushi Kaneko · Hisayasu Sato · Suguru Takeuchi

Cast Tadanobu Asano · Yuko Daike · Chisako Hara · Masami Horiuchi

Synopsis Rampo Noir (2005) is a chilling horror anthology inspired by the short stories of renowned writer Taro Hirai, who is widely recognized by his pen name Edogawa Rampo, a clever homage to the famed Edgar Allan Poe. The film is...

Direction Satoko Yokohama

Cast Ken'ichi Matsuyama · Kumiko Aso · Seiji Nozoe · Arata Iura

Direction Yuichi Sato

Cast Ryôhei Suzuki · Misato Morita · Masanobu Ando · Fumino Kimura

Synopsis City Hunter (2024) follows the story of Ryo, a skilled and determined private investigator who finds his world turned upside down when his trusted partner, Makimura, is brutally murdered. Driven by a desire for justice and closure, Ryo joins forces...

Direction Hiromi Kusaka · Yui Miyatake · Shunichi Nagasaki

Cast Inowaki Kai · Yûki Morinaga · Shûhei Nomura · Atsushi Ogata

Synopsis MAGI Tensho Keno Shonen Shisetsu (TV Series) (2019) is a 10-episode television series set in medieval Japan, focusing on an Italian missionary who journeys to the country with the aim of spreading his religious beliefs and establishing seminaries. The series...

Direction Ryuichi Hiroki

Cast Tatsuya Fujiwara · Kenichi Matsuyama · Ryunosuke Kamiki · Daichi Watanabe

Synopsis Noise (2022) unfolds on the secluded island of Shishikari, a place stuck in the past, grappling with a dwindling population and struggling industries. Keita Izumi initiates a venture to cultivate black figs, which gains significant traction, positioning the island to...

Direction Aryan Kaganof

Cast Thom Hoffman · Mai Hoshino · Kiyomi Ito · Yoji Tanaka

Synopsis Tokyo Elegy (1999) follows the intense and fleeting connection between a man facing imminent execution and a pornographic actress. As he evades capture, the two engage in a passionate and emotionally charged affair, marking his final days with a profound...

Direction Yuji Nakae

Cast Kenji Sawada · Takako Matsu

Synopsis The Zen Diary (2022) follows the life of Tsutomu, a man who resides in solitude amidst the mountains, dedicating his days to crafting essays and preparing Zen cuisine using homegrown vegetables and foraged mushrooms. His tranquil existence is enlivened by...

Direction Tsuyoshi Inoue · Teruyuki Yoshida · Tojo Kajihara

Cast Sôta Fukushi · Hiroko Yakushimaru · Kasumi Yamaya · Mio Yûki

Synopsis Amachan (TV Series) (2013) follows the journey of a young woman from the bustling city of Tokyo who decides to relocate to the serene and picturesque Tohoku region. Her goal is to embrace a new life and learn the traditional...

Direction Shinji Sômai

Cast Koichi Sato · Yuki Saito · Tsutomu Yamazaki · Shiho Fujimura

Synopsis Wait and See (1998) follows the story of a dedicated salaryman whose life takes an unexpected turn when his company encounters severe financial troubles. As if this weren't enough, his world is further disrupted when a stranger appears at his...

Direction Shu Kei

Cast Josephine Siao · Anita Yuen · Daniel Chan · Waise Lee

Synopsis Stage Door (1996) follows the life of Lang Kim-sum, a renowned Cantonese opera actress who embodies the spirit of her craft, understanding that crossing the Hu-du-men, the boundary between backstage and the stage, means fully immersing oneself in the character....

Direction Katsuro Onoue · Yuki Takafumi · Masae Ichiki · Tsuyoshi Inoue

Cast Kantarou Nakamura · Takeshi Kitano · Mirai Moriyama · Kanji Furutachi

Synopsis Idaten: Tokyo Olympics Story (TV Series) (2019) presents a compelling narrative that intertwines the history of Tokyo with the Olympic Games. The series delves into the journey of Kanakura Shizo (Nakamura Kankuro), a marathon runner of Olympic caliber, as he...

Direction Hisayasu Sato

Cast Tomori Abe · Shun Asada · Kei Fujiwara · Daisuke Iijima

Synopsis Hana-Dama: The Origins (2014) follows the story of Mizuki, a transfer student who faces relentless bullying from her peers. Despite the constant harassment, Mizuki remains calm and collected. Kirie, another student who is also a target of bullying, develops a...

Direction Ann Hui

Cast Michelle Yeoh · Sammo Hung · Jimmy Wong · Ken Lo

Direction Yim Ho

Cast Gao Qiang · You Yong · Zhang Yu · Ma Jingwu

Synopsis The Sun Has Ears (1996) presents the tale of a resilient northern Chinese peasant woman navigating the tumultuous 1920s. You You (Zhang Yu) and her husband Tian You face immense hardship as they scour the desolate countryside for sustenance during...