Movies by Tetsu Maeda

Tetsu Maeda is a prolific Japanese director whose films are defined by their warm, humanistic touch and incisive social commentary. With over a dozen features to his name, Maeda has established himself as a master of the bittersweet comedy, crafting stories that deftly balance laughter and poignancy. Maeda's distinctive style is rooted in his keen eye for the small, quotidian details of everyday life. Whether chronicling the financial struggles of a family in We're Broke, My Lord! or the quiet resilience of a nonagenarian in 90 Years Old – So What?, his films find the universal in the particular, mining universal truths from seemingly mundane experiences. Yet he tempers this social realism with a healthy dose of whimsy, as seen in the surreal, dream-like quality of A Banana? At This Time of Night?. Maeda's filmography is a testament to his versatility, ranging from the nostalgic coming-of-age drama Boku no Sukina Sensei to the eco-tinged romance The Water Flows to the Sea. But a common thread running through his work is a deep empathy for his characters and a refusal to judge them, even at their most flawed or foolish. In films like What Happened to Our Nest Egg!? and And So the Baton Is Passed, Maeda celebrates the indomitable spirit of the human experience, finding hope and humor in the face of life's challenges. With Petals and Memories, his most recent release, Maeda continues to captivate audiences with his unique brand of cinematic storytelling.