Archive

XL 9

Flashback Before Death

ONOGAWA Hiroyuki / ISHIHARA Rii

Japan202230min Asian Premiere

Synopsis

In 1930s Japan, Kikuo, the older brother returned from studying translation in France, receives a letter from his dead younger sister. He travels to a rural house and discovers her and a mysterious doll that resembles her daughter. It is a dark fantasy, reconstructed through recollections of the moment of his sister's death.

Program Note

The film, which begins with the narration of a younger brother who returns to Japan after receiving a letter from his deceased sister in France, evokes the atmosphere of classic, melancholic Japanese cinema. With the coexistence of reality and dreams, past and present, it is an experimental film. Ishihara Rii’s immutable performance in her directorial debut is worthy. (Kristin JI)

Diretor

ONOGAWA Hiroyuki

After graduating from university, he studied film music in France. He returned to Japan and started his career as a film composer. Beginning with August in the Water (1995) the works he has been involved in have been selected for various film festivals.

ISHIHARA Rii

After graduating from university, Rii Ishihara worked at a company and after retiring from the company, she made debut with the film Blue Blue Sky (2010). Since then, she has accumulated more than 40 film credits, and she even won award. They are a married couple and Flashback Before Death (2022) is their debut collaboration.