JFF: Cottontail

12A95 min

Synopsis

Following the death of his wife Akiko, devastated Kenzaburo is presented with a letter from her requesting that her ashes be scattered at Lake Windermere in England, a place that held precious memories from her childhood. Kenzaburo reluctantly agrees that his estranged son Toshi may accompany him to England to fulfil Akiko’s final wish. Director Patrick Dickinson draws influence from the gentle dramas of Hirokazu Koreeda for his debut feature about family and reconciliation. This connection is strengthened with the central, moving performance from Koreeda regular Lily Franky.