Shoko, a young deaf student, transfers to a new school where she is bullied by Shoya for her hearing impairment. While Shoya originally leads the class in bullying Shoko, his peers soon turn on him for his lack of compassion. When they leave elementary school, Shoko and Shoya do not speak to each other again but Shoya, tormented by his past behaviour, decides he must see Shoko once more to atone for his sins – but is it already too late?

Based on a popular manga comic focusing on the consequences of bullying from the perspective of both the victim and the perpetrator, this beautifully animated film is directed by one of the most sought-after anime directors in Japan, Naoko Yamada, best known for K-On, Tamako Market and Tamako Love Story.

Part of ODD OBSESSIONS: DESIRES, HOPES AND IMPULSES IN JAPANESE CINEMA

Taking inspiration from Charlie Chaplin’s famous quote “Life is a desire, not a meaning”, the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2017 features an all-encompassing introduction to Japanese cinema through the prism of “desires, hopes and impulses”. Presenting films by established and up-and-coming directors, this year’s programme promises to not only entertain but also provide a vivid insight into what drives human action.

Also screening:

SOMEONE'S XYLOPHONE

LADY MAIKO

A STITCH OF LIFE