Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival and nominated for six Asian Film Awards including Best Film, this engrossing and tender masterpiece is not to be missed.

Takumi and his daughter Hana live in Mizubiki Village, close to Tokyo. Like generations before them, they live a modest life according to the cycles and order of nature.

One day, the village inhabitants become aware of a plan to build a glamping site near Takumi’s house; offering city residents a comfortable ‘escape’ to nature.

When two company representatives from Tokyo arrive in the village to hold a meeting, it becomes clear that the project will have a negative impact on the local water supply, causing unrest.

Evil Does Not Exist – Sunday Sessions Preview Screening
7th April 2024 @ 3:00pm
Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo
www.dendy.com.au

The story is intertwined with a production of the play Uncle Vanya by heavyweight Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. Its main focus is on the life of actor/producer Yūsuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima) but its generous running time allows a few other characters’ stories to be told and interesting ones there are.

Using a minimal, almost nonexistent soundtrack and long moments of silence, you are not steered to any established destination and left with enough time to figure out in detail how you feel about these characters and their actions. When first presented their lives seem lily-white, that feeling doesn’t last. There is also a strange moment around an hour in when they roll what looks like final cast credits.

If a 179-minute long movie seems daunting be rest assured that by the film’s end you will be rewarded with a unique narrative. Tying things together so well, in conclusion, has the effect of making you re-examine the entire series of events that lead up to it. Don’t drink too much coffee beforehand and you should be fine and don’t miss what is a wonderful cinema experience.

Drive My Car is currently screening at Dendy Coorparoo, click here for session times and ticketing.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/potentialfilmsdistribution/

Yusuke Kafuku, a stage actor and director, still unable, after two years, to cope with the loss of his beloved wife, accepts to direct Uncle Vanja at a theatre festival in Hiroshima.

There he meets Misaki, an introverted young woman, appointed to drive his car. In between rides, secrets from the past and heartfelt confessions will be unveiled. As they spend time together, Kafuku confronts the mystery of his wife that quietly haunts him.

Based on the story by Haruki Murakami, and showered with awards and critical acclaim, DRIVE MY CAR has been heralded as “profoundly beautiful” (Daily Telegraph), “an engrossing and exalting experience,” (Washington Post) and an utter “Masterpiece” (LA Times, NY Times+ more!).

Be first to see this phenomenal, poetic film with a complimentary delicious Japanese lager supplied by Monsuta Beer!

Preview screening Drive My Car
6 February 2022
Dendy Coorparoo, Brisbane
www.dendy.com.au