STILL WALKING

In a nutshell, Japanese director Kore-Eda is a direct heir of Ozu, a fellow countryman who established himself as one of the top directors in East Asian cinema in the mid-1900s. Still Walking, a familial picture with complicated, emotional problems and no easy answers, bears the most evident resemblance to Ozu's work. This gentle, compassionate video follows a family over the course of a day as they gather to remember the loss of the eldest son, as they do every year.

In their relationships, there is a comedy, lightness, and simple enjoyment, but there is also a tremendous deal of grief and unsaid conflict between each member of the family. Kore-Eda never oversimplifies these feelings, instead of letting his restrained, immobile camerawork and humorous, diverse narrative speak for themselves. By the end of Still Walking's over two-hour length, a surprising amount has occurred but little has been addressed, which is what makes it so enjoyable. Life isn't always as straightforward as it appears in movies, and finding a solution isn't always so simple. Kore-Eda is fully aware of this, and Still Walking is the finest example of his demonstrating it.

Detailed information:

Writer & Director: Hirokazu Kore-Eda

Starring: Hiroshi Abe, Yui Natsukawa, You, Kirin Kiki, Yoshio Harada
Release dates: June 28, 2008
Running time: 114 minutes