Comedy, Drama

The Dancing Okami

レディ加賀

Directed by: Toshiro Saiga
2024 / 108 minutes / Unclassified all ages

Official Website

Traditional Japanese hospitality meets modern dance

When her childhood dreams of becoming a tap dancer are dashed, Yuka decides to return to her hometown of Kaga and follow her mother’s footsteps of becoming an okami, or the traditional manager of a Japanese inn. However, Yuka’s new career path proves to be more challenging than it seems: her clumsiness makes the various training exercises difficult, and with Kaga Onsen facing a financial crisis, the pressure’s on to attract visitors to the area. In a last-ditch effort to save the town, Yuka devises a plan to choreograph a dance and perform with her fellow budding okami at the local charity event. With no tap dancing experience amongst the group and time running out, can the dancing okami put on a show to remember? 

Inspired by Kaga’s real-life tourism campaign, The Dancing Okami was brought to life with the cooperation of the town’s local community and tourism association. Directed by Toshiro Saiga, this heartwarming musical comedy chronicles the protagonist’s inspiring journey to success, with the beautiful scenery of the Kaga Onsen region as its stage.  

Audience warning: Contains mild themes

Thursday 10th October
18:00

Palace Electric, Canberra

Tuesday 15th October
18:00

Palace Electric, Canberra

Thursday 17th October
18:00

Palace Raine Square, Perth

Monday 21st October
18:00

Palace Raine Square, Perth

Friday 18th October
18:00

Palace Barracks, Brisbane

Monday 21st October
18:00

Palace Barracks, Brisbane

Tuesday 22nd October
18:00

The Kino, Melbourne

Friday 25th October
18:00

The Kino, Melbourne

Saturday 26th October
17:00

Palace Norton Street, Sydney

Friday 25th October
18:00

Palace Moore Park, Sydney

Screens in: Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney

Director: Toshiro Saiga

Cast: Fuka Koshiba

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Language(s): Japanese with English subtitles

Format: DCP colour

Nominee: Best Film at the Silk Road International Film Festival. 

  • Film based in Kaga Onsen and based on the tourism campaign of Lady Kaga
  • Fuka Koshiba went from having zero tap dancing experience to acting as a professional tap dancer because she started taking lessons from home under the guidance of an instructor and using a plywood board