Kumakiri Kazuyoshi is the maker of such varied films as Green Mind, Metal Bats and Volatile Woman that were both screened in Rotterdam in 2006 . Kumakiri can make robust films, but in this case he takes a different approach. Non-ko is a fairly gentle comedy. Not to guffaw at, but a smile shouldn’t be difficult. It’s a light hearted and masterfully made drama.
Non-ko is the name of the woman it’s all about. Basically it’s a pseudonym; in reality her name is Nobuko Bando. From the Japanese title of this film, Nonko 36sai: kajitetsudai, it is also possible without any knowledge of Japanese to conclude she is 36 years old, an age at which actresses don’t find it easy to find work any more. In addition, she has just got divorced. Her role is played by Sakai Maki, who carries the film. This is her third film with the same director and the role was written specially for her. Without work, Non-ko returns from Tokyo to her birthplace. At the same time, the filmmaker returns to a more modest way of working, as he did at the beginning of his career. He also worked with his old team for this film.
Non-ko’s family run a Shinto shrine, a non-Buddhist holy place, of which there are many in Japan. She helps with the work and then meets a strange man. He is Masaru. Naive yet appealing. (GjZ)
Film details
- Country of production
- Japan
- Year
- 2008
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2009
- Length
- 105'
- Medium/Format
- 35mm
