RADIANCE

RADIANCE (HIKARI), 2017

Japan, France |DCP, Color, 101' | Japanese
Director: Naomi Kawase
Cast: Masatoshi Nagase, Ayame Misaki, Tatsuya Fuji

Selected to compete for the Palme d'Or in the main competition section at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, Radiance depicts the story of Misaki who writes film versions for the visually impaired and the famous photographer Masaya who is slowly losing his eyesight. Masaya starts to mercilessly criticize Misaki’s depictions at a test group where Misaki is attempting to illustrate what he sees in the film with a balanced and unspoiled manner using his words. Although it begins skittishly due to Masaya’s criticism, the relationship between the two turns into an emphatic and affectionate one in time. Flowing seamlessly with Naomi Kawase’s unique style, Radiance investigates new ways of expanding our viewpoints and communication.