Still Walking (U)

Pitch-perfect, profoundly moving masterpiece that distills the ebb and flow of family life to its essence

Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Starring: Hiroshi Abe, Yoshio Harada, Yui Natsukawa
Japan, 2008, 1 hour 54 minutes, subtitles

Sat 6 March 6.00pm, Sun 7 8.30pm, Tue 9 11.00am The Courtyard Hereford
Mon 8 March 7.30pm, Tue 9 7.30pm Ludlow Assembly Rooms

A wonderful, poignant film from the director of Afterlife and Maborosi, that, in its unassertive way, feels as piercingly true as cinema ever gets. At a family reunion there are no 'dramatic' incidents and the tone is generally light and humorous, while memories, resentments and regrets surface. But we note everything that unites and divides this particular family as the stiff old doctor, his wife, son, daughter and their spouses eat, bicker, smile and try to get along. With its perfect performances and quiet build-up of fleeting pleasures, this wise, gentle film leaves one with much to ponder about family life.