Thriller

The Scythian Lamb

羊の木

Directed by: Daihachi Yoshida
2018 / 126 minutes / Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

日本語の解説は映画.comへ

One sleepy village. Six convicted murderers...

Screened as part of the JFF 2018.

Uobuka is a small coastal city just like countless others that dot the Japanese coastline: the people are nice and the seafood is great. It does have its own peculiar festival—one to dispel Nororo, a mythical sea monster, but more concerning for the local government is its shrinking population.

To tackle the population decline, Uobuka city hall partakes in a confidential trial, wherein six convicts are given an early release on pseudo-parole in the city. They are provided housing and employment assistance, with locals oblivious to their criminal history.

Civil servant Hajime Tsukisue (Ryo Nishikido) is tasked with resettling the newcomers and checking on their welfare. Though immediately unsettled by their eccentricities, he nonetheless becomes acquainted with them in wary and often strenuous relationships. It doesn’t take long for other residents to realise something isn’t quite right, and suspicions are further heightened when a body is found along the water, amid a series of unusual events surrounding the annual Nororo festival.

22nd Busan International Film Festival – Kim Jiseok Award Winner

The challenge of of rehabilitating and reintegrating ex-cons back into society often involves a precarious balance of community consent and mutual trust and acceptance. Director Daihachi Yoshida (Pale Moon, 2014) deftly drapes these themes over this engaging thriller headlined by Kanjani∞ member Ryo Nishikido and JFF favourite Ryuhei Matsuda (My Uncle, Before We Vanish, 2017; The Mohican Comes Home, 2016; among many others).

Sunday 18th November
20:30
Concluded

Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney

Sunday 2nd December
16:00
Concluded

ACMI, Melbourne

Screens in: Sydney and Melbourne

Director: Daihachi Yoshida

Original Story: Tatsuhiko Yamagami and Mikio Igarashi

Screenplay: Masahito Kagawa

Producer: Yoko Ide

Cast: Ryo Nishikido, Fumino Kimura, Kazuki Kitamura, Yuka, Mikako Ichikawa, Shingo Mizusawa, Min Tanaka and Ryuhei Matsuda

Genre: Thriller

Format: DCP colour