Living in Osaka, Asako falls madly in love. The object of her affections, Baku, is passionate, restless, and hard to pin-down. One day, he wanders right out of her life. Years later, living in Tokyo, Asako encounters Ryohei—a kind, respectable businessman and, mysteriously, Baku’s spitting image. What follows is an intoxicating tale told between two cities (Osaka and Tokyo) and a mesmerizing puzzle of mistaken identities, lingering loves, and passions at cross purposes.[…]
Caught between pursuing his passion and settling for a “real” job, struggling actor Jihoon takes up a gig patrolling the streets of Seoul at night. A serendipitous meeting with Eunyoung, a kindred spirit also facing a personal crisis, turns into a reflective, intimate stroll through the city’s twilight hours. Beautiful black-and-white photography creates a stunning portrait of the city by night that is also a poetic meditation on love and life.[…]
A former chess champion, a homeopath, and a watchmaker – old friends Samuel, Marcos, and Joaquin seem to belong to another era. Routine days find them on well-worn paths from work to the cafes and casinos of Bogotá and home. As the stresses of life pile up, the three wonder if they will ever take a risk again. Lighthearted charm and affecting pathos permeate this bittersweet slice-of-life drama about facing failure and turning over a new leaf.[…]
Youri, 16, has lived all his life in Cité Gagarine, a public housing complex on the outskirts of Paris. Gazing out his highrise window, he dreams of becoming an astronaut. When demolition plans for the complex are announced, Youri rallies friends and neighbors in hopes of saving the only home he’s known. Shot on location and in collaboration with neighborhood residents, Gagarine is a moving meditation on the meaning of home.[…]
Nestled along Ireland’s Western coast, Galway holds a magnetic attraction for artists of all stripes. Through a series of interviews with writers, musicians, poets, and painters, Cumar ( Irish for “confluence”) crafts a portrait of the metropolis as seen through the eyes of its artists. This visually sumptuous, reflective ode to the city itself explores Galway’s rich history of artistic excellence and its enduring influence on its residents.[…]
