The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2024 takes place in cinemas around the UK from 2 February – 31 March 2024, and this year’s programme features the LGBTQ+ title Egoist.
Kosuke (Suzuki Ryohei) was 14 years old when his mother died. His adolescence was then spent in a rural village, and he suppressed his feelings as a gay man. Now working as a fashion magazine editor in Tokyo, he crosses paths with Ryuta (Miyazawa Hio), a personal trainer and a dedicated son to his single mother.
Kosuke is known for his high-end fashion and air of superiority, and Ryuta is initially bewildered. Yet they become close and finally find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. Sometimes, their moments together include Ryuta’s mother (Agawa Sawako), who reminds Kosuke of his late mother. They believe their peaceful love will endure, but one day, Ryuta fails to show up for a planned drive, and an unexpected twist of fate threatens their relationship.
The film is an adaptation of the autobiographical novel Egoist by Takayama Makoto. Directed by Matsunaga Daishi (Pieta in the Toilet), a previous guest of the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme and recognised for his exploration of human emotions. This film employs a documentary-style approach to delicately depict the intimate warmth between the characters and the conflicts arising out of love.
Egoist is touring UK cinemas from 8th February and screening at The ICA in London on Sunday 11th February at 8.15 pm.
For Egoist tickets visit https://www.ica.art/films/jftfp-egoist
Egoist エゴイスト, dir. Matsunaga Daishi, Japan 2023, 120 min. Ⓒ2023 Makoto Takayama, Shogakukan / TokyoTheatres Co.,Inc.,NIKKATSU CORPORATION,RIGHTS CUBE Inc.,ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS INC.
