78 Days
Three sisters film each other through wartime in this touching coming-of-age tale.
82'
Serbia
IFFR 2024
In the wake of a sexual assault, young actress Noel goes to Blue Imagine, a refuge for people who have experienced violence. With the help of her fellow residents, she is able to reclaim some of her confidence, and decides to confront her abuser.
In her directorial debut, actress Matsubayashi Urara takes bold and considered aim at the permeating sexual violence of the Japanese film industry. Blue Imagine skilfully addresses some of the many mental and emotional nuances of the aftermath of abuse while employing a peculiar mixture of subtle, slightly dark humour. Matsubayashi is neither exploitative, nor trivial in her approach, and is ever cautious not to fall for the pitfalls of an easy ‘girl power’ narrative seen in many cinematic studies into the subject.
With its eye fixed on support networks rather than vengeance, Blue Imagine offers an urgent and gutsy exploration, encouraging venues of kindness and camaraderie through subtle acts of re-appropriation – a gesture much needed these days, in the arena of film as everywhere.
– kijA
IFFR 2024
Programme IFFR 2024
A selection of feature-length debuts, characterised by original subject matter and an individual style, representing the cutting edge of contemporary filmmaking.
Read more about this programmeThree sisters film each other through wartime in this touching coming-of-age tale.
82'
Serbia
IFFR 2024
A dysfunctional love affair proffers hope in the gloom in Guido Coppis’ debut feature.
105'
Netherlands
IFFR 2024
An urgent, bold and composed rallying cry against sexual violence in the Japanese film industry.
93'
Japan
IFFR 2024