Still the Water
In the aftermath of a typhoon, a tattooed body washes ashore on the subtropical Japanese island of Amami-Oshima and is discovered by teenager Kaito (Nijiro Murakami). Meanwhile, his girlfriend Kyoto (Jun Yoshinaga) must deal with the imminent death of her mother, an island shaman. Together, on the cusp of adulthood, the pair struggle to make sense of the cycles of life and death as they seek to understand their place in the world. A poignant and poetic coming-of-age tale, Naomi Kawase’s self-described masterpiece is a culmination of the filmmaker’s impressive career, invested in the exploration of deeply spiritual themes expressed through lush visuals steeped in natural light.
- Official Selection, 2014 Cannes Film Festival (In Competition)
“The grandiose themes, the symbolism of the sea and all the wonders that lie beneath, the fear of misunderstanding the laws of nature, and the relationship between men and women, all blend into a cathartic climax that reminds one of the film’s beating heart; an enthralling coming of age story… Still The Water is a spectacle for the senses.” —Indiewire
“Still the Water has an idealism and a tranquility. Kawase’s distinctive serenity and generosity of spirit remain valuable qualities in the cinema.” —The Guardian
Streaming in the U.S. from February 5-25 as part of 21st Century Japan: Films from 2001-2020