Two Films by Hirokazu Koreeda

Initially learned of and started to watch series "Asura" (2025) and then learned of film"Monster".  A lot of difficulty as my computer was not able to access Monster and finally learned I could catch it at a library computer.

Admired Hirokazu Koreeda for his previous films and thought I would combine coverage of both.  A series does offer more character development and room for more complicated plots.  On the other hand a film can make a definite point in short order.

Asura was an 8 part series that had been adapted from earlier Korean versions.   The really key part is how 4 adult sisters with different situations got along.  At times one could detect jealousy, but at others they would support each other.

The second youngest, Takiki hires a detective to follow her father and learns he has another family including a son.  The sisters aren't sure how to handle it, not wanting to upset their mother and ideally stop the relationship.  Takiki was thought of as too plain looking and too stiff to ever get married or even have much of a relationship with a man.  She herself  had given up hope of ever getting married, but the detective likes her, a lot.  He is a decent enough fellow who later confesses to the father that he was the one who spied on him.

Another development was the youngest and most attractive sister, lives with a boxer who has some initial success, but boxing is a dangerous game.

There are complications.  The sisters don't always see eye to eye on how to handle their father and even become more aware of the other woman and her son.  The father sees nothing wrong with his arrangement having two families.  Enough said.

 Hirokazu Koreeda is the link between these two films.  He is the director, writer and editor for both films.  He has 35 credits as director,  20 as a writer and 18 as editor including "Like Father, Like Son" (2013), "Our Little Sister" (2015), "The Third Murder" (2017), "Shoplifters" (2018) and "Broker" (2022).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/07/broker-japanese-korean-collaboration.html

Hajiri Taguchi was the producer for both films.  He has 31 producer credits including "Still Walking" (2008) Like Father, Like Son" (2013), "Our Little Sister" (2015), "The Third Murder" (2017), "Shoplifters" (2018).

Miyuki Fukuma was a producer for "Asura".  He has 6 producer credits and 3 for additional crew including "Still Walking" (2008), "The Third Murder" (2017) and "Broker" ( 2022).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/07/broker-japanese-korean-collaboration.html

Yu Aoi played Takiki.  She has 93 acting credits including"Hula Girls" (2006).

Rie Miyazawa played Tsunako.  She once posed in the nude and consequently was dropped by her studio and had to find another studio.  She has 65 acting credits.

Michiko Ono played Makita.  She has 117 acting credits including "Like Father, Like Son" (2013) and "Light of my Lion" (2024).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/12/light-of-my-lion.html

Suzu Hirose played Sakito.  She has 51 acting credits and 3 for soundtrack including, "Our Little Sister" (2015), "The Third Murder" (2017) and "Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle?" (2025). See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/03/who-saw-peacock-dance-in-jungle.html  That is her on the poster

Jun Kunimura played the father.  He has 232 acting credits including "Kill Bill: Vol 1" (2003), "The Wailing" (2016), "Japan Sinks:  People of Hope" (2021) and "The Boy and the Heron" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/12/japan-sinks-people-of-hope-emigration.html

Masahiro Motoki played Takao, the husband of Tsunako.  He has 59 acting credits.  He had to learn to play the cello to play the lead in the foreign film Oscar winner, "Departures" (2009).

"Monster" used flashbacks to point out there is more than one side to any event.  The director stated that all the characters were like prisoners.  A young boy exhibits strange behavior.  His mother goes to the school as she believes one teacher had used violence and insults against her son.  She meets with the principle, other teachers and the teacher Hori.  All are apologetic, but don't seem willing to do more than promise the incidents will not be repeated.  She is not satisfied.

Nothing is quite the total truth when you first experience an event.  Through the flashbacks we are given some background of the teacher, the principle and the other teachers.  We also view a friend of Minato, Yuri and learn more of the background of the two boys.  One phrase that comes to mind is "don't judge the book by the cover."

Ryuici Sakamoto was the composer who died shortly after this film and had it dedicated to him.  Born in Japan he did much of his composing in America.  He had provided some music for the Opening Ceremonies for the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.  He had 124 composing credits, 44 for the music department and 22 for acting including "The Last Emperor" (1987) which won an Oscar for him, "Wuthering Heights" (1992), "The Revenant" (2015) and "Call Me By Your Name" (2017).   

 Soya Kurokawa played Minata, the lead.  Despite his youth he has 13 acting credits.

 Sukura Ando played Minata's mother.  Her great grandfather had been the Japanese Prime Minister Tsyohi).  She has 74 acting credits including "Shoplifters" (2018).

Eta Nagayama played Hori, the teacher.  He has 96 acting credits, 1 for directing and 1 for writing.

Shida Nakaumura played Yuri's father.  He has 107 acting credits and 1 for directing.  One of his films was "Letters from Iwo Jima" (2006), directed by Clint Eastwood.

The films by Hirokazu Koreeda are noted for their understanding of human nature.  "Asura" is on Netflix with subtitles or dubbed.  "Monster" was seen on Hoopla which is free with some library cards.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.