Motion Picture: Choke

『映画 (窒息)』
Eiga Chissoku

New York Premiere. In an imagined post-apocalyptic future, humanity reverts to prehistoric conditions and spoken language is lost. Living in an abandoned concrete building surrounded by forest, a woman (Misa Wada) finds small joys in her daily survival routine of hunting and gathering. All that is disrupted, however, when she is discovered by a small group of bandits and a young vagabond (Daiki Hiba) whom she eventually takes in as a partner. A highly original, dialogue-free indie drama shot in black-and-white, Gen Nagao’s sophomore feature film reflects on the good, the bad, and the ugly of human existence without uttering a single word.

Dir. Gen Nagao, 2023, 108 min., DCP, black and white, in Japanese with English subtitles. With Misa Wadam, Daiki Hiba, Takashi Nishina, Minori Terada.

Part of JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film 2024
July 10—21, 2024

JAPAN CUTS is the largest showcase of contemporary Japanese cinema in North America and an annual highlight of New York’s cinema scene.

Image: © 2023 DMC’S Co. Ltd.

Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Film programs are generously supported by ORIX Corporation USA, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Anime NYC and Yen Press. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund and The John and Miyoko Davey Endowment Fund. Additional season support is provided by The Globus Family and Friends of Film. Transportation assistance is provided by Japan Airlines, the official Japanese airline sponsor of Japan Society Film. Housing assistance is provided by the Prince Kitano New York, the official hotel sponsor of Japan Society Film.