The Garden Apartment (2018)

Other name: ガーデンアパート, Gaden Apato

Description:

The Garden Apartment is a melancholic and effortlessly cool debut feature exploring the poignant limbo of transitioning into adulthood. Mother-to-be Hikari grapples with her boyfriend's reluctance to embrace responsibility, feeling increasingly adrift. She finds herself drawn into a peculiar world when invited to a party at his eccentric aunt Kyoko's house. This home has become a sanctuary for a group of young drifters, all seeking solace and connection while comforting Kyoko, their surrogate mother, who is grieving her husband's untimely death. Amidst this unconventional gathering, Hikari stands out as the sole adult, yet her own sense of direction remains blurred. As she navigates this space between youth and maturity, she unexpectedly catches the eye of Kyoko's young boyfriend, adding another layer to her complex journey of self-discovery and impending motherhood. The film beautifully captures profound uncertainty with a compelling numbness, as characters embark on an aimless nighttime drive.

Director: Ishihara Umi [石原海]

Country: Japanese

Status: Completed

Released: 2018

Genre:Drama