The Light Shines Only There (2014)

Profile

• Movie: The Light Shines Only There
• Romaji: Soko nomi nite Hikari Kagayaku
• Japanese: そこのみにて光輝く

• Director: Mipo O
• Writer: Yasushi Sato (novel), Ryo Takada
• Producer: Hideki Hoshino
• Cinematographer: Ryuto Kondo
• World Premiere: March 16, 2014 (Osaka Asian Film Festival)
• Release Date: April 12, 2014
• Runtime: 120 min.
• Genre: Drama / Disillusioned Youth / Dysfunctional Family / Best Film-Movie of the Year
• Distributor: Tokyo Theatres
• Language: Japanese
• Country: Japan

Synopsis

Tatsuo Sato (Go Ayano) quits his job and roams around aimlessly, trying to escape from his painful past. Tatsuo Sato then meets Takuji Oshiro (Masaki Suda) at a pachinko parlor. They strike up a friendship and Tatsuo goes with Takuji to his home. Takuji’s home is located along the beach, but the home is a rundown shack.

There, Takuji lives with his ill father, ambivalent mother and older sister Chinatsu (Chizuru Ikewaki). Tatsuo sees something special with Chinatsu. A light shines there despite the oppressive atmosphere that surrounds their situation.