Winner of Best Film at the Third Asian Film Awards, Toyko Sonata proves young Japanese director Kurosawa (no relation) can handle urban realism and social marginalisation better than some of our British masters. If you like subtle dramas with a touch of black comedy then try this.
When Ryuhei Sasaki is unceremoniously dumped from his ‘safe’ company job, his family’s happy, humdrum life is put at risk. Unwilling to accept the shame of unemployment, the loyal salaryman decides not to tell anyone, instead leaving home each morning in suit and tie with briefcase, spending his days searching for work and lining up for soup with the homeless.
Reviews
“When the father is canned at work, an average Tokyo family goes into slo-mo freefall in Tokyo Sonata, a quizzical dramedy by Kiyoshi Kurosawa that puts some fresh juice into the waning step of the onetime J-horror specialist.” Derek Elley, Variety
“Tokyo Sonata speaks to us, with feeling and passion, as one of the most eloquent statements on the world today that we are likely to see in this moviegoing year.” Andrew Sarris, The New York Observer
Awards
Asian Film Awards ’09 – WINNER
– Best Film
– Best Screenwriter (Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Max Mannix, Sachiko Tanaka)
Cannes Film Festival ’08 – WINNER
– Un Certain Regard Jury Prize (Kiyoshi Kurosawa)
Hochi Film Awards ’08 – WINNER
– Best Actress (Kyôko Koizumi)