A Balance
Investigative filmmaker Yuko (Kumi Takiuchi) is putting together a piece about the bereaved families connected with a bullied schoolgirlʼs suicide. Determined to shed light on the truth, Yukoʼs uncompromising nature brings her in conflict with the conservative-minded management at her television network, but succeeds in getting her interview subjects to place their trust in her. Then Yuko discovers that her father, Masashi (Ken Mitsuishi), who runs a test prep school, has made a grave error of judgment. The further she becomes involved in his mistake, the more she finds herself telling lie after lie. As unexpected developments occur, Yukoʼs struggles with her conscience and her compromised perception of the truth force her to make life-altering decisions.
The sophomore feature from Yujiro Harumoto, A BALANCE had its world premiere at the Pingyao International Film Festival where it won both the Roberto Rossellini Jury Award and the People's Choice Award before also capturing the New Currents Award at the Busan International Film Festival.
Cast
- Yumi Kawai
- Ken Mitsuishi
- Kumi Takiuchi
DVD Features
Discs: 1
- "In its honesty about the real-life pitfalls of finding and telling the truth, A Balance is a rare and brave achievement."
- "This is a bracingly unsentimental picture which asks knotty questions about the relationship between the media and the subjects at which it points its cameras."
- "A powerful look at press and public opinion."
- "Yujiro Harumoto directs a film that works on a number of levels, all of which are analyzed thoroughly and artfully, and eventually interconnect in the most impressive way, through a truly shocking story that manages to retain interest for the whole of the 153 minutes of the story."
- "This is a fine, worthwhile film led by an extraordinary leading lady, Kawai, and is highly recommended."
- "Forges an interesting conversation about cultural shaming and the often negative by-product of honesty in cultures which view shame and expulsion as something of an integral part of creating better communities."
- "[K]notty and suspenseful...."
Awards & Recognition
Best Film
Pingyao Int'l. Film Festival
New Currents Award
Busan Int'l. Film Festival
Best Screenplay
Athens Int'l. Film Festival
Best New Director
Asian Film Awards
Berlin Int'l. Film Festival
New York Asian Film Festival
You May Also Like...
