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A dreamy drama with a solid underlying romance. The cinematography is lush, the score is pitch-perfect and the lead performances are strong. Add to that a lovely setting, an economic runtime, and a moving finale and you have a prime Japanese drama. The romance is on point too, but not quite as accessible, and hardened romantics may have some trouble with the outcome here. But this is exactly the kind of drama I love to see coming out of Japan, I clearly need to see more of Agashi's work because her direction elevates this film well beyond the usual fodder.
A Crimson Star is an impressive first film by Igashi, who was only 22 at the time. It's a strong but typical Japanese drama, with some edgier touches that are common when dealing with younger directors. The film deals with some rougher themes and does so respectfully, but that doesn't mean those scenes lack impact. The performances are superb, the cinematography is polished, and Igashi already had a clear signature style, one she would expand upon in her later work. It's not a film that will convince detractors of the genre, but adepts will find a film with just enough novel and unique touches to rise above its peers.
A sweet and poignant little love story. I expected a little more from Igashi after seeing her previous film, but if this is the quality of her filler work, then I have nothing to complain about. It's a simple romance, there is nothing explicitly special, but she hits every beat and there is no excess material. Like many Japanese films, communication is one of the underlying themes here. Though the film is short, it is properly explored and illustrated. The performances are solid, the presentation is pleasant and the drama effective. It's a good film, nothing to complain about, it just fails to stand out amongst the competition.Read all
21st Century Girl
Welcome to a new generation of directors. 21st Century Girl is an anthology featuring only young, female directors, tasked to make a film for 21st century girls (hence the name of the project). Apart from Yuki Yamato, I wasn't familiar with any of the chosen creators, so I was looking forward to the result. Lack of consistency is often seen as a weak point of anthologies, personally I love the versatility they bring. That's my only real critique here. While there are a few highlights and no real disappointments, I expected a bit more variation in themes and styles. It too often feels like there's just one typical 21st century girl, which is highly doubtful. My main takeaway from this film is that Yuki Yamato is by far one of the most promising young directors working in Japan today. I instantly recognized her short and it's easily the stand-out of the bunch. The rest of the women deliver solid films, and they all deserve their shot at a full-length feature. For an anthology though, I expected a tad more creativity.Read all