The Ode to Joy

Following the lives of three college rugby players drafted to serve in the military during WWII. Though they believe their service will help to benefit their loved ones back home, they are unprepared for the hardships of war. Through their shared trials and sacrifices, they grow closer as friends, and hope to return together to better days. This movie was released in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII.

Tetsuya, a worker at a US Air Base who moonlights as a bartender with his bar hostess roommate, dreams to move to the United States one day. Meanwhile, his best friend Jun wants to build a home on some local wasteland. Yet the introduction of Yuki, who they both fall in love with, begins to tear their friendship apart.

A story of friendship between two women, Yae and Kiyoko. Their friendship is tested when artist Yae, who suffers from fatal illness, develops special feelings towards her best friend Kiyoko’s boyfriend Kosuke.

A young woman's life is turned upside down when her husband suddenly disappears, leaving behind numerous debts and his illegitimate child. Desperate to track down her missing husband, she travels to Kyushu in hopes of finding clues to his whereabouts and in the process discovers disturbing secrets about the man she loves.

Ryô is a young leopard, Maki a rhythmical wave. The barrier between a teacher and a student gives way to the passionate embrace of a man and a woman desperately in love.

Personal tale of Okita Soji who fights to survive in a world without pity in the merciless era of the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Mickey, a smart student from England, is on his trip to Japan for vacation. He meets with a Chinese girl Lin Fang on the way. They each have the same model of camera. But they have their cameras exchanged without their knowing it prior to their departure.

A beautifully told story of a woman hardened by marriage to a man she doesn't love, after giving herself to another. She dedicates herself to her work, designing and creating plaited cords for kimono.

Japanese drama film.

Film by Deme Masanobu