Cutie and the Boxer

This intimate documentary chronicles the turbulent, yet enduring, marriage of Japanese artist Ushio Shinohara and his much younger wife, Noriko. For decades, Noriko has been subservient to Ushio's chaotic artistic world, often putting her own artistic aspirations on hold. However, as Ushio gains recognition for his "action painting" with boxing gloves, Noriko begins to forge her own artistic identity, creating the "Cutie" character to express her complex emotions and desires.

Cutie and the Boxer was widely acclaimed by critics for its raw emotional honesty and compelling portrayal of a complex artistic marriage. Reviewers praised its intimate access to the lives of Noriko and Ushio Shinohara, highlighting the film's nuanced exploration of love, sacrifice, and artistic ambition within a challenging relationship.

• A deeply moving and raw portrait of an unconventional marriage and artistic partnership.

• The film offers a poignant look at sacrifice, ambition, and the complexities of love.

• Noriko's journey of self-discovery is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

Google audience: Audiences praised the film's emotional depth and its powerful portrayal of an artist's life and marriage. Many found Noriko's story particularly compelling and inspiring, appreciating the film's honest depiction of the sacrifices made in relationships and for art.

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Award for Cinematography.

The documentary's title comes from Noriko Shinohara's ongoing series of drawings and paintings, 'Cutie and Bullie,' which are semi-autobiographical and explore her complex relationship with her husband, Ushio.