Program Note
Ichiko, a devoted and kind nurse, has been looking after an ailing old woman of the Oisho family for a long time. She feels almost like family to the family’s eldest granddaughter Motoko. One day, Motoko’s younger sister Saki disappears, which puts Ichiko in challenging situations.
Is it possible to know the truth of someone? Is public judgment fair all the time? The director intentionally uses cross-cutting editing to make the audience swing between prejudice and suspicion as they follow the story and truth of the protagonist. Viewers have to reflect on previous events to get closer to the truth. You will be amazed when Ichiko (Tsutsui Mariko)’s gentle face turns empty and blank. The Japanese title ‘Side Profile’ reminds us of Picasso’s cubism. Don’t believe what you see as it is, perhaps the truth is all about looking at the front, side, and back simultaneously. (Ellen. Y. D. KIM)