On a warm summer night, 16-year-old Kaito discovers a body that has washed up on the beach of his home island of Amami-Oshima. While the police investigate, the question of the origin of this mysterious death remains unanswered. His girlfriend Kyoko tries to support him during this disturbing time, but she is struggling with her mother's serious illness. Together, the two young people undergo an emotional journey of love, loss and the inevitable transience of life. Naomi Kawase's STILL THE WATER (FUTATSUME NO MADO) is a deeply moving drama that captures the close connection between humans and nature in poetic images. The rugged beauty of the island world forms the backdrop for a story about coming-of-age, family ties and accepting one's own mortality. The film reflects existential questions with a calm, almost meditative narrative style that bears Kawase's signature. The film premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was celebrated for its visual strength and dense atmosphere. Using a minimalist yet haunting style, Kawase creates a cinematic poem about life and death. STILL THE WATER (FUTATSUME NO MADO) is a powerful cinematic experience that captivates with its sensitivity and depth. “I hope that viewers of the film realize that we humans are not the center of the universe. We are just a small part of a great cycle. I wanted to create a story in which it becomes clear that this cycle in which we all live is of a divine nature.” – Naomi Kawase
Keywords
- Asia
- Cannes: En compétition
- Coming of Age
- Festival de Cannes
- Festival de Cannes - Tax Shelter
- Film Fest Gent
- Japanese Cinema
- Pool is cool
- Summer Vibes: Movies that feel like summer
- Summertime Movies
- World Water Day
- family
- mourning
- nature
- parenthood
- relationship
- the edge
Actors
- Nijirô Murakami
- Junko Abe
- Miyuki Matsuda
- Makiko Watanabe
- Tetta Sugimoto
- Jun Murakami
Director
- Naomi Kawase
Drama
2h 1min
JAPANESE
FRENCH
DUTCH
Amami-Oshima Island in Japan. A 14-year-old boy finds a body floating in the sea. He asks his girlfriend for help.
Amami-Oshima Island in Japan. A 14-year-old boy finds a body floating in the sea. He asks his girlfriend for help.
On a warm summer night, 16-year-old Kaito discovers a body that has washed up on the beach of his home island of Amami-Oshima. While the police investigate, the question of the origin of this mysterious death remains unanswered. His girlfriend Kyoko tries to support him during this disturbing time, but she is struggling with her mother's serious illness. Together, the two young people undergo an emotional journey of love, loss and the inevitable transience of life.
Naomi Kawase's STILL THE WATER (FUTATSUME NO MADO) is a deeply moving drama that captures the close connection between humans and nature in poetic images. The rugged beauty of the island world forms the backdrop for a story about coming-of-age, family ties and accepting one's own mortality. The film reflects existential questions with a calm, almost meditative narrative style that bears Kawase's signature.
The film premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was celebrated for its visual strength and dense atmosphere. Using a minimalist yet haunting style, Kawase creates a cinematic poem about life and death. STILL THE WATER (FUTATSUME NO MADO) is a powerful cinematic experience that captivates with its sensitivity and depth.
“I hope that viewers of the film realize that we humans are not the center of the universe. We are just a small part of a great cycle. I wanted to create a story in which it becomes clear that this cycle in which we all live is of a divine nature.”
– Naomi Kawase
Festivals
Cast & Crew
Director
Naomi Kawase
Cast
Nijirô Murakami
Cast
Junko Abe
Cast
Miyuki Matsuda
Cast
Makiko Watanabe
Cast
Tetta Sugimoto
Cast
Jun Murakami