By Carmina Flores
Our Little Sister, 2015 director Hirokazu Koreeda. Available on Vudu, Amazon.
Everyone has a family problem, no matter how large or small it is. The three sisters in this family have always known how ode their family is. They're all in their 30s and have no idea what's going on in the world. They share a large home, as if they were a sorority. They meet their younger half sister after their father passes away. The eldest sister, seeing how she is handled, decides to invite her to live with the three of them. Their garden and small town are lovely, and you can feel the fresh spring air as you ride your bike through a cherry blossom tunnel. They take her in and show her what her life will be like; she's just in high school, but she's a mature young lady. This is a charming film that will make you want to relocate to Japan.
Hotarubi No Mori e, 2011 director Takahiro Omori. Available on Dailymotion.com.
This film will make you weep in under an hour. It's an easy story, but as you watch, you'll understand the bigger meaning. Summer air and soft green grass are animated in a way that gives them the appearance of being characters. Unknowingly, a young girl becomes lost in a spirit forest. She comes across a boy wearing a dog mask who shows her the way out. A friendship blossoms from their easy talk.This little girl visits this sweet boy every summer. The music keeps you moving until the very end. This is a love-filled fairy tale full of spirits.
Umibe no Étranger, 2020 studio Studio Hibar. Available on Dailymotion.com.
This is the tale of a true love. Shun Hashimoto is an Okinawan author who meets Mio Chibana, an orphaned high school student who has been living with his family since his mother died. Mio's response to Shun reaching out to him, is anything but polite or accepting. Mio confesses that he is moving to the city as Shun and Mio grow closer, but agrees to stay in touch once there. Three years later, Mio returns and confesses his love for Shun, but Shun is unsure. Simply put, this is a film about your first love.