Complicity

Chen Liang, a young Chinese man, is an illegal immigrant in Japan. One day he receives a call about a job offer meant for someone else. In his desperation, he pretends to be the intended recipient in order to get the job, which turns out to be a position at a traditional Japanese soba restaurant. He starts his new life living and working with the elderly soba master, gradually earning his trust, but with the constant fear that his identity could be exposed at any moment.
by Kei Chikaura
with Lu Yulai, Tatsuya Fuji, Sayo Akasaka, Kio Matsumoto
Japan / People’s Republic of China 2018 Japanese, Mandarin 116’ Colour

With

  • Lu Yulai (Chen Liang)
  • Tatsuya Fuji (Hiroshi Inoue)
  • Sayo Akasaka (Hazuki Nakanishi)
  • Kio Matsumoto (Kaori Inoue)

Crew

Director Kei Chikaura
Screenplay Kei Chikaura
Cinematography Yutaka Yamazaki
Editing Kei Chikaura
Sound Yutaka Tsurumaki
Production Design Kyoko Heya
Producer Kei Chikaura, Hu Wei

Mystigri Pictures

Kei Chikaura

The Japanese director was born in 1977 and began his career as a filmmaker in 2013. His second short film, The Lasting Persimmon, screened at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in 2016. His third, Signature, was selected by festivals including Locarno and Toronto and won the Grand Prix at the 2017 Encounters Film Festival in Bristol, UK.

Filmography

2013 Empty House 2015 The Lasting Persimmon 2017 Signature 2018 Complicity

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2019