MY EASY GOING SISTER

SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER AT 7:10PM UGC SHAFTESBURY AVE SCREEN 1

Country Japan Running Time 82 mins Format 35mm Director/S'play Kei Shichiri Prods Toshihiro Isomi, Eisuke Ishige, Ren Usami DoP Masaki Tamura Cast Aki Kajiwara, Sadaharu Shiota, Nao Omori,Tomokazu Miura Print Source Slow Learner Inc E endoh@kg7.so-net.ne.jp

On the threshold of a life of married bliss, Yasako receives a surprise wedding gift in the post from her estranged brother Sushio. Bearing the title 'Big Sister, Kid Brother', the newly published novel Sushio has written dredges up painful memories of a childhood spent looking after her demanding and unhealthily over-sexed sibling after their parents died. Yasako hasn't spoken to him for several years now, and has no intention of ever seeing him again. Nor has she even mentioned him to her future husband Kazuo, confiding only with her boss at work after he confesses he has read the book. But when she receives a call from Sushio's mobile phone as he lies in a snowdrift beckoning her to him with the threat that he will die if she doesn't come, Yasako realises it is time to confront the past.

Based on the TV dramatization (of Mori Ogai's novel Sanshodayu) by Juro Kara, a leading playwright in experimental theatre scene since the '60s, this subtle and ambiguous tale of repressed emotions and the fragility of memory is beautifully shot by Masaki Tamura. In the vein of John Cassavetes, first-time feature director Kei Shichiri draws out rich and fully-rounded performances from his small ensemble of players, interweaving past and present to chart a complex psychological map. JS

Kei Shichiri started his career while studying at Waseda University. After ten years as an assistant, he made his directorial debut with My Easy Going Sister. He is currently working in collaboration with a chamber orchestra.