Still the Water
On the Japanese island of Amami, despite lacking parental guidance, Kaito and his girlfriend Kyoko try to find their place in the world. While Kaito suffers from the absence of his father, who moved to Tokyo after his birth, Kyoko must come to grips with her mother’s terminal illness.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young couple, Kaito and Kyōko, navigate the complexities of their relationship and the transient nature of life against the backdrop of Okinawa's natural beauty. Kaito, a young man living in Okinawa, grapples with his mother's terminal illness and the impending loss of his family home. Kyōko, a student from Tokyo, finds herself drawn into Kaito's world, and together they confront the themes of life, death, and the interconnectedness of all things.
Critical Reception
Still the Water received a mixed to positive reception from critics, with many praising its visual poetry and emotional resonance, while others found its pacing and narrative somewhat meandering. The film was noted for its contemplative exploration of life's cycles and its stunning depiction of the Okinawan landscape.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its stunning cinematography and contemplative themes.
- The film offers a poetic and emotional exploration of life, death, and connection.
- Some critics found the narrative pacing to be slow and deliberate.
Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's artistic qualities and its emotional depth, particularly its handling of sensitive themes. Some viewers found the story to be slow-paced, but most acknowledged its beautiful imagery and thoughtful message.
Awards & Accolades
Screened in the main competition section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
Fun Fact
Director Naomi Kawase shot the film over a period of approximately one year to capture the changing seasons and the natural rhythms of life in Okinawa.
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