Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2013

The fine first feature film by director Ryohei Yoshino (he previously showed a short at the Gay & Lesbian Film Fest), Akaboshi, is also a coming out party for well-known voice actress Romi Park. Park is celebrated for her voice work in such animated series as Full Metal Alchemist, Bleach and Nana, and Akaboshi is her first live-action piece.

The performances throughout are extraordinary. In addition to Park, child theater actor Aren (who was 10 at the time of the shooting) is superb. The story concerns a mother (Park) who is distraught at the disappearance of her husband. On the verge of a total breakdown she is discovered by a cult and they take her and her son Tamotsu (Aren) into their fold. The story examines a woman falling deep into a cult’s world-view, how the cult uses children to proselytize (there is also a teenage girl named Kanon, played by actress Vlada, in the cult) and the effect it has on the relationship between mother and child. While examining the mother-and-son dynamic, the film also sheds light on how children can be pushed into adult roles in Japanese society.

Go see this excellent effort from Yoshino and keep your eyes on this space for his future efforts. (235 min)