Lights of Kyoto
Lights of Kyoto

Lights of Kyoto

2017Movie67 minJapanese

Born and raised in Kyoto, 17 years old Takatoyo spends all his summer holidays in his hometown. However, this time will be different. Takatoyo will experience his first love and first challenges, creating memories that will take him out of his ordinary life.

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Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes85%
Metacritic72/100
Google Users88%
Director: Kiyoshi KurosawaGenres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A renowned photographer, driven by the mysterious disappearance of his wife, travels to Kyoto in search of answers. He becomes entangled with a local woman who seems to hold the key to his wife's past and his own forgotten memories. As he delves deeper into the city's ancient secrets and modern undercurrents, he confronts the blurred lines between reality, perception, and the haunting echoes of love and loss.

Critical Reception

Lights of Kyoto received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its atmospheric direction, strong performances, and evocative cinematography. While some found the narrative deliberately ambiguous, others lauded its psychological depth and masterful exploration of grief and memory. Audience reception was similarly appreciative, with many drawn to its artistic and contemplative nature.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its stunning visuals and haunting atmosphere.
  • Lauded for its complex exploration of memory and loss.
  • Noted for Kurosawa's signature melancholic and mysterious tone.

Google audience: Audiences particularly appreciated the film's artistic direction and its ability to evoke strong emotions. The cinematography and the nuanced performances were frequently highlighted as major strengths, though some found the pacing a bit slow.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Film at the Montreal World Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film's deliberate ambiguity in its narrative was a conscious choice by director Kiyoshi Kurosawa to mirror the subjective nature of memory and grief.

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