Panorama

Section

A MAN

ある男

Does The Truth Really Set You Free?

©2022 "A Man" Film Partners 

Description

Over four blissful years, Rie and her son shared a loving new life with her second husband, Daisuke. His sudden accidental death brings not only grief, but an unnerving discovery for the widow: the man she thought she knew was posing under someone else’s identity. In a startling dual narrative, the mystery around Mr. X unfolds beneath the hands of KIDO, the attorney handling the case. Rie and her son are forced to contemplate the legitimacy of Mr. X’s meaning in their lives, while KIDO’s ethnic heritage as a zainichi (Japanese-born Korean) draws unwanted scrutiny throughout the investigation. 

Prefaced by René Magritte’s surrealist painting Not to be Reproduced, this thought-provoking film immediately delves into questions of identity and social prejudice. Thriller elements are measured masterfully under the direction of ISHIKAWA, while showcasing poignant performances from ANDO Sakura (Shoplifters, Monster) and KUBOTA Masataka  (13 Assassins, Rurouni Kenshin). Beautifully soundtracked by experimental Taiwanese ensemble ‘Cicada’, this multi-award-winning film is a vital addition to a growing genre of Japanese cinema that interrogates fragile morals permeating contemporary society. 

Awards 

WINNER: Best International Feature Film, Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2023 

WINNER: Best Film, Awards of the Japanese Academy 2023 

WINNER: Best Director (ISHIKAWA Kei), Awards of the Japanese Academy 2023 

WINNER: Best Screenplay (MUKAI Kosuke), Awards of the Japanese Academy 2023 

WINNER: Best Actor (TSUMABUKI Satoshi), Awards of the Japanese Academy 2023 

WINNER: Best Supporting Actor (KUBOTA Masataka), Awards of the Japanese Academy 2023 

WINNER: Best Supporting Actress (ANDO Sakura), Awards of the Japanese Academy 2023 

WINNER: Best Screenplay (MUKAI Kosuke), Cairo International Film Festival Naguib Mahfouz Award 2022 

NOMINEE: Best Film, Venice Film Festival Venice Horizons Award 2022 

NOMINEE: Best Film, Stockholm Film Festival Bronze Horse 2022 

NOMINEE: Best Film, Cairo International Film Festival Golden Pyramid 2022 

NOMINEE: Best Film, Bangkok World Film Festival Lotus Award Competition 2022 

NOMINEE: Best Film, Reims Polar Festival du Film Policier New Blood Award 2023 

Details

Directed By

ISHIKAWA Kei

Starring

TSUMABUKI Satoshi / ANDO Sakura / KUBOTA Masataka

About The Director

Kei ISHIKAWA was born in 1977 at Aichi-Prefecture. After graduating from Tohoku University in physics, Ishiawa studied at Polish National Film School. After his return, he worked on several documentaries and shorts. In 2017 he directed his debut film, “Traces of Sin” won many awards as an upcoming director. 

In 2019, he directed “Listen to the Universe“ which won many awards including best picture for Hochi Film Award and best director for Mainichi Film Awards.

Schedule