Kurara: The Dazzling Life of Hokusai's Daughter (2017): A

The great Japanese artist Hokusai (36 Views of Mount Fuji) had a daughter who was his apprentice and later his nurse. This recent film shows how she struggled to find her place as a daughter, artist, and woman in The Floating World of Ukiyo-e , 18th century Japan. The Japanese dialogue is wonderfully sparce but rich. Directed by Taku Katô—using lovely, saturated cinematography which gives context to the great acting in this film—Kurara illustrates how love, and art, and family do not go gentle into that good night.

Jennifer Lemming, Guest Contributor