Sway (Nishikawa, 2006)

[Steven H]

Yesasia is listing a February release for an english subtitled DVD of Nishikawa Miwa's Sway (Yureru). Her earlier film, Wild Berries which I've heard nothing but good things about, though haven't yet seen. A plot summary/review at midnighteye.com might stoke some interest:

Sway is a film on the gaping chasms between countryside and city, between family life and 'freeter' existence, between patriarchy and individualism. Between an old Japan that refuses to go away and the young who desperately wish it would but who lack the strength and the ideas to speed up the process. The difference may only be a more glamorous shade of dull. The Takerus of this world may have turned their backs on their fathers, but they have no alternative to offer themselves or their generation, let alone the generations that are to follow. What they have is superficial, hedonistic: fashion, consumption, glossy magazines, acting cool. When the basis is unstable, the swaying starts. Miwa Nishikawa's Sway is about Japan today - questioning, investigating, challenging, perceptive. Do we call that a courtroom drama and dismiss it for not playing like an episode of Law & Order? Who's Camus anyway?

I posted this because I think Koreeda is heavily involved in her career (producing Sway, at least), and he has quite a following on this forum. Anyone seen this film and care to share an opinion?

[Michael Kerpan]

Kore'eda also produced "Wild Berries" -- and prior to her directing debut, Nishikawa worked as an assistant director for Kore'eda.

Haven't seen her new film -- but am eager to do so. Her first film was really quite good (and even better when re-watched a year or so after my first viewing).