AU REVOIR L'éte
(HOTORI no sakuku)
A film by Koji Fukada
Japan 2013 | 126 mins
Drama | 12A | Japanese
Theatrical release: 24 Apr 2015
New Japanese cinema meets French New Wave in this languid summertime tale, full of subtle complexities. Before 18 year old Sakuko starts university, she visits her aunt, Mikie, in a seemingly sleepy Japanese coastal town. While Sakuko gets to know a young Fukushima refugee, Mikie meets up with her old flame, Ukichi, who now manages the local love motel.
“There is a wonderful charm and a sensuous languor in this Japanese movie... a sweet summer breeze of a film”
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— Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
“... you'll be charmed by a drama that has all the demure power of an Eric Rohmer classic”
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— Charlotte O'Sullivan, Evening Standard
“... an irresistible mix of the fresh and familiar”
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— Robbie Collin, The Telegraph
“... Nikaido's intelligent cheerful heroine immediately has you on her side”
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— Ed Porter, The Sunday Times