Under The Open Sky

Mikami, an ex-yakuza of middle age who has spent most of his life in prison, gets released after serving a 13 year sentence for murder. Hoping to find his long lost mother, from whom he was separated as a child, he applies for a TV show and meets a young TV director Tsunoda. Meanwhile, he struggles to get a proper job and fit into society. His impulsive, adamant nature and ingrained beliefs cause friction in his relationship with Tsunoda and those who want to help him.

The 6th by writer/director Miwa Nishikawa is an impactful drama based on the book of the same name by Ryuzo Saki (Vengeance is Mine), about the prejudice-based treatment of ex-convicts. Nishikawa made her debut as a director with Wild Berries in 2003, and also wrote the book The Long Excuse, which she also filmed. In 2011 we also showed her previous film Sway.

AWARDS:

Lena Sharpe Award for Persistence of Vision at Seattle International Film Festival
The Best International Feature Audience Choice Award + The Best Performance Award for Koji Yakusho at the 56th Chicago International Film Festival.

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