Known for Directing
Filmography
17 films, 2 shows


How to Find a Lover
2023 · 1h 39m
country: Japan


Tsugaru Lacquer Girl
2023 · 1h 58m
country: Japan
Keiko Tsuruoka’s film is at once traditional and contemporary: it gently mixes present-day gender and sexuality politics with the old-fashioned Japanese domestic drama. Traditional lacquerwork kitchenware is the Aoki family’s legacy, handed down to patriarch Seishiro (Kaoru Kobayashi) by his now-ailing father (Masayuki Suzuki). Seishiro expects to pass it in turn to his son Yu (Ryota Bando), but Yu has no interest in the craft—quite unlike daughter Miyako (Mayu Hotta), who loves it dearly. The stage is set for conflict, as established cultural traditions collide with modern mores…


Between the White Key and the Black Key
2023 · 1h 34m
country: Japan
In an audacious reworking of the biopic, this ensemble drama sees jazz pianist Minami Hiroshi’s memoir cleverly reinterpreted into a surreal and playful story about chasing dreams, disillusionment and the inner lives of professional artists. Closer to playing two sides of the same coin than tackling a dual role, Ikematsu Sosuke embodies two versions of Minami – the naïve upstart and the jaded pro – who magically cross paths as they become entangled with a cast of colourful characters in the seedy alleyways and jazz clubs of Ginza over a single night.


Monster
2023 · 2h 5m
country: Japan
After an outburst at school involving her son, a concerned single mother demands answers, triggering a sequence of deepening suspicion and turmoil.


Side By Side
2023 · 2h 10m
country: Japan
Mysterious young man Miyama has the ability to sense the thoughts of other people. The secrets of his background linger emerge when he confronts the thoughts of Kusaka, his junior in high school, and the past that he ran away from.


In Her Room
2023 · 2h 16m
country: Japan
Susume is a young dentist who can’t communicate well with people since childhood. One day, he meets and falls in love with a woman named Miyako. She invites him into her lush, forest-like apartment, and he, though awkwardly, gradually becomes closer to her.


Ghost Book
2022 · 1h 52m
country: Japan
The forbidden book that will make any wish come true "The Ghostly Book of Books". However, in order to make your wish come true you have to go through a life-threatening trial. What is that trial...?


Ribbon
2022 · 1h 55m
country: Japan
The year is 2020, the middle of the corona crisis. Art student Itsuka has her graduation exhibition canceled and must take home the piece which she had been working on for a year. In a whirlpool of emotions she clashes with her worried parents, her little sister overreacts to the virus and even her usually calm friend Hirai starts to build up frustration. In the middle of all that, she re-unites with Tanaka, who gave her the opportunity to absorb herself in painting, clashes with Hirai over their true feelings and tries to face her own future.


You're Not Normal, Either!
2021 · 1h 38m
country: Japan
Ono Yasuomi is a cram school teacher with poor communication skills. He hopes to get married but doesn't know what ordinary means and feels awkward on dates with women. He asks Kasumi, a student who knows lots of trivia about romance, to teach him the meaning of ordinary.


The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window
2021 · 1h 42m
country: Japan
Bookstore clerk Mikado sees ghosts. When exorcist Hiyakawa pulls him into a cursed murder case, the two uncover dark truths—and the killer’s voice still lingers.


Ora, Ora Be Goin' Alone
2020 · 2h 18m
country: Japan
In 1964, Momoko came by herself to Tokyo from her hometown. She met Shūzō and married him. They raised two children together, but Shūzō suddenly passes away. Momoko is dumbfounded by being alone again. She begins to go to the library and borrows books. This changes her life.


Our 30-Minute Sessions
2020 · 1h 54m
country: Japan
College student Sota picks up a cassette tape left behind by musician Aki when he died a year ago. When the tape is played back, Aki takes over Sota's body for just 30 minutes. They share the same body and rush to reunite a band that split up and bring a smile to Aki's girlfriend Kana's face.


Narratage
2017 · 2h 20m
country: Japan
Izumi is a sophomore university student when she hears from her former high school teacher and mentor Takashi. They were both involved in the school drama club. She liked him. He liked her. Takashi asks Izumi to return to the school and assist with a performance. Will the feelings be rekindled?


Kiseki: Sobito of That Day
2017 · 1h 51m
country: Japan
Based on the true story of 4 member Japanese pop group "GreeeeN.” Jin is the producer of “GreeeeN” and his younger brother Hide is the lead member for the group. Their song "Kiseki" is released as their 7th single and becomes a huge hit. Hide and the other 3 members have others jobs including working as a dentist.


Your Lie in April
2016 · 2h 2m
country: Japan
Arima Kousei won numerous piano competitions while under the strict watch of his mother. He was known as the human metronome during that time. Since the death of his mother, Kousei has been unable to hear the sound of his piano. He then meets Miyazono Kaori through childhood friend Sawabe Tsubaki. Kaori plays the violin and has a free sprit. Since meeting her, Kousei is able to face the piano again. Meanwhile, Kaori holds a secret.


Natsumi's Firefly
2016 · 1h 48m
country: Japan
Natsumi wants to become a photographer. She takes a bike which her late father left behind and goes to a forest to find a firefly she saw with her father. In the forest, Natsumi meets old mother Yasu and old son Jizo. They run a general store. Natsumi learns how to live in nature from them. She has happy summer days there. One day, Jizo tells her that he became estranged from his son in the past.


Pink and Gray
2016 · 1h 59m
country: Japan
Popular actor Rengo Shiraki dies suddenly. Due to his sudden death, unpopular actor Daiki Kawata attracts the spotlight due to his close friendship with Rengo. Did Rengo Shiraki commit suicide or was he murdered?