Keiko Tsuruoka’s film blends traditional and contemporary, gently mixing present-day gender and sexuality politics with the old-fashioned Japanese domestic drama. Traditional lacquerwork is the Aoki family’s legacy, handed down father to son. Patriarch Seishiro expects to pass it in turn to his son Yu, but Yu is a hair stylist moving to London with his boyfriend and has no interest in the craft—quite unlike daughter Miyako. The stage is set for conflict: cultural traditions collide with modern mores as both children take brave steps for their own futures. Miyako can’t openly declare her desire to pursue a career in Tsugaru-nuri, but as she confronts her family and the art of lacquering, she takes on a great challenge that surprises everyone’s expectations. Tsugaru Lacquer Girl features strong performances from its ensemble cast. Mayu Hotta in her performance as the heroine Miyako at the centre of the film is at once gentle and luminous. Like the artisans that are her subject, Tsuruoka has crafted a beautiful work; sit back, relax, and let it warm your heart.
Q&A on October 4
Presented by
Mayu Hotta, Ryota Bando, Toshiya Miyata, Reiko Kataoka, Kaoru Kobayashi
Japan
2023
In Japanese with English subtitles
Education Guide
Curriculum Interests
The Education Guide will be available soon.
• Asian Studies 12
• Comparative Cultures 12
• Media Arts 10
• Film + Television 11+12
• Explorations in Social Studies 11
• Literary Studies 10, 11, 12
Director
Keiko Tsuruoka
Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1988, Keiko Tsuruoka began making movies while attending Rikkyo University. Her graduation work, Town of Whales (2012), won the Grand Prize at the 2012 PIA Film Festival and was shown at the Berlin IFF, the Busan IFF and many other film festivals around the world. She directed her second film My First Love (2013), which was presented at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
Filmography: Town of Whales (2012); My First Love (2013); Lingering Memories (2015); Utsuroi no hyohonbako (2016); Makuko (2019)
In-Cinema
Date |
Time |
Venue |
| Wednesday, October 4 | 9:30 am | International Village, Theatre 9 |
How to Book
Booking is now closed.
Questions? Contact our Ignite team at [email protected]
Credits
Producer
Natsuko Mori, Hitoshi Endo, Tatsuya Matsuoka, Koichiro Fukuoka
Screenwriter
Keiko Tsuruoka, Kensaku Kojima
Cinematography
Wataru Takahashi
Editor
Shinichi Fushima
Production Design
Hinako Kasuga
Original Music
Hiroki Nakano