Movie spotlight
Seiai scandal: Kokeshi to hanayome
Homma, a shy and hard-working car mechanic, said goodbye to Mao (Maya Sawamura), a delivery health girl who has forgiven her heart for three years. This is because he started dating with an office lady named Yurie (Meguri) who he met at a matchmaking party and got engaged. Mao was a little jealous when he realized that he secretly loved Honma, but wished for the relationship between adults and the happiness of Honma. On the way home one day, Homma found a dirty kokeshi doll, cleaned it with a handkerchief moistened with water, and placed it on the flowerbed. That night, a strange young woman (Yui Kawagoe) visited the room. She forcibly went up to the room and said that she was a kokeshi doll...
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Plot Summary
The film tells the story of a young man who travels to a remote village to find his missing father, only to uncover a deeply ingrained and unsettling local tradition involving a sacred doll and a bride. As he delves deeper, he becomes entangled in the village's secrets and the complex relationships that bind its inhabitants.
Critical Reception
The film received critical attention for its unique, slow-paced narrative and its exploration of cultural taboos and personal identity. It was noted for its artistic ambition and atmospheric direction, though its challenging themes and lengthy runtime were points of discussion.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its distinctive visual style and meditative pacing.
Acknowledged for its bold exploration of complex and taboo subjects.
Divisive due to its unconventional narrative structure and length.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews is not readily available for this specific title.
Awards & Accolades
Screened at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and other international festivals.
Fun Fact
Director Katsuya Tomita is known for his distinctively slow and observational filmmaking style, often focusing on individuals navigating cultural and societal shifts.
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