Whale Bones

『鯨の骨』
Kujira no Hone

North American Premiere. After a sudden breakup, office worker Mamiya (Motoki Ochiai) tries a dating app to distract himself from his woes. He meets up with a mysterious young woman (Japanese singer Ano) who disappears—in traumatic fashion—before their date is over. Obsessed with finding her, Mamiya follows the clues left by “Aska,” her alternate identity in an augmented reality social media app through which she recorded site-specific video messages all over Tokyo. Written and directed by Takamasa Oe—who co-wrote the Oscar winner Drive My Car with Ryusuke Hamaguchi—Whale Bones is an ethereal noir-tinged mystery that investigates the loneliness and desperation of our internet-mediated modern life. 

Dir. Takamasa Oe, 2023, 88 min., DCP, color, in Japanese with English subtitles. With Motoki Ochiai, Ano, Mayuu Yokota.

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 CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT, Lucky Come Come, MUGENUP, C&I.

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.