Yûko no tenbin

Low-key drama about Yuko Kinoshita, a school teacher/documentary filmmaker who faces tough moral dilemmas in her personal life, while simultaneously directing a film tackling heavy themes like abuse and suicide.

It's a really well-done piece of observational filmmaking, unasumming and subtle, but never overly slow. A lot can be said about quality acting here, particularly regarding Kumi Takiuchi as a morally compromised teacher and Yumi Kawai in a solid supporting role as a talented student. The script is complex and always interesting, while director Yujiro Harumoto shows more than enough promise of a successful future career.

The parallel stories of Yuko's directing career and her troubling personal dilemma (revolving around a certain incident) present her as the most well-rounded and intriguing character here, for her actions seem understandable but also easy to condemn from an outsider's perspective. This branching storyline is the film's definite high point, alongside its capacity for emotion without ever lurching into sentimentality.

All in all, a fine piece of Japanese indie cinema, both suspenseful and emotive, deserving of any awards it can get. Recommended.