Japan Archives - Directors Notes

A Seasoned Veteran Tries to Adapt to Japan’s Modern Entertainment Industry in Anna J. Takayama’s ‘The Voice Actress’

Anna J. Takayama talks shooting in Tokyo and colour as a narrative tool whilst dissecting the creation of her multi-award winning film about an ageing actress.

Music

A Father Confronts His Past in Andrew De Zen’s Soulful Music Video for Alaskan Tapes’ ‘Of Woods And Seas’

Andrew De Zen reveals how visiting Japan led him to his most ambitious shoot yet for his deeply reflective father-son Alaskan Tapes music video.

Documentary

Visitor Share the Origin Story of a Remarkable Female Sumo Wrestler in Documentary Short ‘I am Tuvsho’

George Thomson and Lukas Schrank explain how their kit choices allowed them to gain a more intimate perspective for their short documentary.

Live Action

Koya Kamura Crafts a Humbling Contemplative Drama About Grief in His Fukushima-Set Debut ‘Homesick’

Koya Kamura reflects on his successful decision to make the leap from a decade in commercials into his narrative debut, a drama set in post-disaster Japan.

Live Action

Hayato Ando Foresees a Service Which Returns the Deceased for 49 Days in Near Future Sci-Fi ‘Son of Memory’

Hayato Ando breaks down how he cinematically represented digitally-recreated loved ones for his philosophical sci-fi drama 'Son of Memory'.

Animation

A Didactic Short Story Is Given an All Too Relatable Contemporary Spin in ‘Rope’ by Kyomu Yoshida

Kyomu Yoshida details why he chose to animate a caustic social commentary derived from a tale by the father of the Japanese short story in 'Rope'.

Live Action

How an Ambitious Fish Became a Girl in Thessa Meijer’s Celebrated Tragicomedy ‘The Walking Fish’

Thessa Meijer discusses overcoming language barriers for her Japan-set short about an ambitious sea-creature who becomes a woman striving for perfection.

Live Action

A Mother and Daughter Attempt to Bridge the Distance Between Them in Kana Hatakeyama’s ‘Okaasan (Mom)’

A mother & daughter attempt to reconnect after dealing with the death of a beloved family member in Kana Hatakeyama’s quietly observed short Okaasan (Mom)

Asides, Music

Kano: Pan-Fried (Feat. Kojo Funds)

Taichi Kimura takes Kano back to his roots in 'Pan-Fried', a celebration of community bonds forged in the travails of less than ideal life circumstances.

Live Action

“The Butterflies are 100% Real” – Mackenzie Sheppard Joins us to Discuss the Sequel to his Popular Short Film

Mackenzie Sheppard returns to Directors Notes to discuss 'Butterfly' - the sequel to his popular short film 'Moth'.

Asides, Live Action

Butterfly

Mackenzie Sheppard's 'Moth' sequel short 'Butterfly' follows a man who finds his reality breaking down as he investigates a mysterious building project…

Asides, Music

Otoboke Beaver: Don’t Light My Fire

ONIONSKIN partner up with punk band Otoboke Beaver for rivetingly in your face 360 degree captured performance music video 'Don’t Light My Fire'.

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