Like Asura
The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2026: Knowing Me, Knowing You: The True Self in Japanese Cinema.
Co-presented by the Japan Foundation.
Supported by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.
You may be part of a close-knit family, but there are some things you never know about each other.
In winter 1979, the four TAKEZAWA sisters reunite upon learning an unsettling family secret: their daring father, now over seventy, seems to have a mistress — and even a love child! Choosing to shield their mother, Fuji (YACHIGUSA Kaoru) from the truth, each of the quartet’s personal problems also comes to light. The eldest, Tsunako (OTAKE Shinobu) is entangled in a love affair. Makiko (KUROKI Hitomi), the second sister, quietly endures the knowledge that her husband has a younger girlfriend. Takiko (FUKATSU Eri), painfully shy, has resolved to marry her first love. And the youngest, Sakiko (FUKADA Kyoko, Samurai Hustle, JFTFP23), who has been living with her boxer boyfriend, decides to get married after finding out she is pregnant. What was once thought to be a close-knit family reveals a different side.
Like Asura explores the idea that human beings possess many faces and harbour complex, often conflicting emotions. Based on the very popular 1979 NHK drama of the same name, one of Japan’s most renowned directors, MORITA Yoshimitsu (The Family Game, Haru), skilfully and sensitively portrays the range of emotions each character holds in this timeless film. Recently re-adapted by KOREEDA Hirokazu as a Netflix drama series.
Contains some sexual scenes.
Awards
Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Director 2004, Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Screenplay 2004, Japan
Academy Film Prize for Best Actress in a Supporting Role 2004
Screenings
Montreal World Film Festival 2003, Tokyo International Film Festival 2003, Japan Foundation New Delhi 2017,
Kaohsiung Film Festival 2023
Like Asura © 2003 TOHO CO., LTD. HAKUHODO INC. THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS. NIPPON SHUPPAN HANBAI INC.
