An encounter with a doppelganger in Japan cracks open the edges of reality, as a return to the homeland becomes a search through memory, absence, and the ghosts of identity.
Veena Yamano
Canada
2025
In English and Japanese with English subtitles
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits & Director
Producer
Thea Loo, Natalie Murao
Screenwriter
Natalie Murao
Cinematography
Kaayla Whachell
Editor
Anna Chiyeko Shannon
Production Design
Masaharu Maeda
Original Music
Veron Xio
Natalie Murao
Natalie Murao is a yonsei (fourth generation) Japanese Canadian filmmaker and educator. Her work often explores themes of identity and generational disconnect, aiming to expand the notion of Asian diasporic cinema. Her film, No More Parties (2020) played at Sundance, TIFF Next Wave, and Palm Springs Shortfest, among others, and was exhibited online through TIFF Bell Lightbox. Her documentary Blue Garden (2022) was selected for Telefilm Canada’s Not Short on Talent program at Clermont-Ferrand and is now available to watch on CBC Gem. Natalie has received mentorship through Sundance Ignite, VIFF Catalyst, and Experimental Forest Films.
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Left-Handed Girl
Co-written and edited by Sean Baker (Anora), Shi-Ching Tsou's heartwarming solo feature debut follows a single mom in Taipei who is too consumed with her noodle stand to keep tabs on her five-year-old daughter's burgeoning shoplifting habit.
Measures for a Funeral
When a young academic discovers a personal link to Canadian violinist Kathleen Parlow, she is compelled to dig deeper. Her investigations lead her on the trail of an elusive concerto, lost for over a century, but which she is determined to bring to light.
Jay Kelly
In Noah Baumbach's wise and witty comedy, George Clooney plays Jay Kelly, a world-famous movie star touring Europe with his friend and manager, Ron (Adam Sandler). Faced with nagging dissatisfaction, Jay starts to ask himself some tough questions.
He Ran All the Way
John Berry's gripping, poignant thriller stars John Garfield in his final film performance. He plays Nick Robey, a small-time hood on the run from a stick-up gone wrong. The last gasp of "Red" Hollywood, this fine film deserves to be better known.
Meadowlarks
Fifty years after being separated during the Sixties Scoop, four Cree siblings reunite for the first time on a long weekend trip to Banff. Tasha Hubbard’s sensitive drama relates an emotional and life-affirming story of kinship and belonging.