Three sisters, one funeral, and the mother they thought was dead. Family secrets hit different in Kanazawa.
Ai Kishimoto, Yukari Miyazawa and Akane Kishimoto are sisters. The sisters live apart in Kanazawa, Toyama and Tokyo, but they gather together to attend their grandmother's funeral. There, they learn about their mother whom they know as deceased. While seeking out the the truth about their mother, the sisters face their own problems, but take a courageous step forward.
Acting
Higa, Mimura, and Sasaki feel like actual sisters.
Cinematography
Kanazawa's snow-dusted streets as emotional character.
Director
Toshirô Saiga
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Toshirô Saiga insisted on shooting during actual Kanazawa winter; the actresses' visible breath in outdoor scenes is real cold, not effects.
The film quietly critiques Japan's 'ie' family system — the grandmother's house represents traditional obligation the sisters ultimately reject by scattering her ashes separately.
JP
