The Fish Tale
さかなのこ | Japan | 2022
U.S. Premiere
Japan | Drama/Family | 2022 | 139 minutes | in Japanese w/English subtitles
Director: Shuichi Okita
Starring: NON, Yuya Yagira, Kaho, Hayato Isomura, Amane Okayama
Film Source: Nikkatsu Films
Japan Cinema Showcase special Emcee: Mark Schilling, author/critic of Japan Times
In-Cinema Screening
Sunday, Sept 18 at 4:30 PM
@ Wilmette Theater
SYNOPSIS
Meebo loves fish. Scratch that, that’s an understatement. She’s obsessed: a certified freak, a card-carrying “fish-a-holic.” Since childhood, it’s all she thinks about, cares to draw, and wants to eat. Her parents are understandably a little worried—when they aren’t indulging her, cooking squid, mackerel, or sea bream in every conceivable way. But as Meebo’s aquatic obsession develops and takes her into the beginnings of adult life, her unique interest—somewhat extreme, even for one of the most fish-obsessed countries on Earth—forces admiration. One must admit: fish make for a fascinating life!
“THE FISH TALE is an instant cult favorite, it’s sure to charm the pants off just about everybody who encounters it.”—Richard Gray, thereelbits.com
“The film is very much a vehicle for NON to showcase her acting abilities, with her giving an astonishingly dedicated performance, not leaving the quirkiness of her character even for a moment, retaining both an extreme rhythm and very fitting body movements throughout….”—Panos Kotzathanasis, asianmoviepulse.com
STILL GALLERY
TRAILER
DIRECTOR
Shuichi Okita
Shuichi Okita is an acclaimed filmmaker both at home in Japan and overseas. His latest movies, Mori, the Artist’s Habitat (2018), The Mohican Comes Home (2016) and Ecotherapy Getaway Holiday (2014) were invited to Shanghai International Film Festival and Udine Far East Film Festival. A Story of Yonosuke (2013) was invited to the Tokyo International Film Festival and Nippon Connection Film Festival in Frankfurt. His 2012 The Woodsman and the Rain won the Special Jury Prize at the 24th Tokyo International Film Festival and won triple honors at Dubai International Film Festival with Best Actor, Best Editor and Best Scriptwriter awards. His second feature The Chef of South Polar (2009) had both domestic and international acclaim. His first feature was What a Wonderful World (2006). Prior to his feature film career, Okita shot short movies, including Pots and Friend in 2002, the 7th Mito Short Film Festival Grand Prix, and also wrote and directed TV dramas. Okita was born in 1977 in Saitama and graduated from Nihon University, College of Art, Department of Cinema.
