Movies by Naomi Kawase

Naomi Kawase is a visionary Japanese filmmaker who has captivated audiences worldwide with her deeply personal and poetic cinematic style. Blending fiction and documentary, Kawase's films often explore themes of identity, family, and our connection to the natural world. Kawase's oeuvre is marked by an intimate, introspective approach that draws the viewer into the inner lives of her subjects. Whether chronicling her own search for her absent father in the documentary Embracing or delving into the complex relationships of contemporary families in narrative features like True Mothers, Kawase's camera bears witness with a compassionate, observant eye. Her films possess a remarkable sensory quality, immersing us in the rhythms of everyday life and the subtle, fleeting moments that shape the human experience. Beyond her acclaimed narrative work, Kawase has also left an indelible mark on the world of sports documentaries, serving as the official filmmaker for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. In Side A and Side B, she captured the triumphs and struggles of the athletes with her signature poetic style, offering a deeply personal and visually stunning portrayal of the Olympic spirit. Kawase's filmography is a testament to her singular voice and her unwavering commitment to exploring the depths of the human condition through the medium of cinema.