37 Seconds (Japan, 2019)

In 37 Seconds, 23-year-old comic book artist Yuma, physically disabled due to profound cerebral palsy and emotionally stunted by her well-meaning but overly protective mother, forges her own unusual path to sexual awakening and independence while at the same time discovering love and forgiveness.

37 Seconds is a film that really makes you feel for the main character and begs that everything goes her way, of course that can't always be the case but the struggles she goes through will also resonate with the viewer. The lead actress, Mei Kayama, was fantastic and the fact that she didn't fake her condition was a pivotal factor, I think. It's a film that easily could've been ruined by sappy melodrama and overacting by an actress trying to fake the disabled state of the character, instead we're given a film which much more easily connects with the viewer and can focus on telling a story to the fullest. 

Genre: Drama, 1h 55min

Mr. Long (Japan, 2017)

A Taiwanese hit-man goes Japan to kill a man. But nothing turns out in the way he expected. He finds himself in a dumpster and with neighbors' helps he gets his own stall where he cooks delicious noodles. But his past won't leave him alone.

Mr. Long explores the world around an assassin who failed a mission and must stay out of harms way.  There's a couple of bloody fights and scenes where the titular Mr. Long shows off his skills, but the story is much more focused on where he wants to steer his life and connecting with people in a way he previously never did. In these days where every film with an assassin is all about all-out action it's nice to see more of a character piece and a story about a killer who experiences a serious change of priorities. The kill list is gone, time to cook delicious meals. 

Genre: Crime/Drama

The Last Dance (Japan, 1993)

A successful Japanese movie director in his 60s becomes increasingly ill while working on his latest film. His family, friends, and doctor try to keep the secret of his terminal cancer from him, but it gradually becomes clear. Coming to terms with his own mortality is painful, and involves some major conflicts with his wife and the hospital staff. But having done so, he realizes he doesn't want to die in the hospital on a life support machine.

Director Juzo Itami is a master of satire and dark humor, his Tampopo (1985) and Minbo (1992) are fantastic and hilarious movies. The Last Dance is more of a look at how we react to the news that we are going to die, and outdated doctor's ethics rooted in old Japanese customs. Itami got the idea for the film during a long hospital stay where he was treated after being attacked and slashed by gangsters who were angry at his previous Yakuza films. Much more somber than his other films, but that's fine because you can tell Itami wants to tell a story dealing with heavier topics.

Genre: Comedy/Drama