SEPPUKU: THE SUN GOES DOWN

A period film unlike any other. While it deals with themes of duty and loyalty, the focus is on the love between a husband, wife and family set against samurai society. Kyuzo, a retainer for the Shogun, is under house arrest for accidentally scratching the Shogun’s bow. The film observes the family's’ inner struggles as Kyuzo awaits the imminent order to perform ritual suicide. His wife Yoshino has 24 hours to prepare for her husband’s seppuku but, for the sake of her husband and ancestors’ honour, she must maintain the daily life of the household with the calm dignity of a samurai’s wife.

Winner of 4 awards at the London and Edinburgh International Film Festivals, this subtle, deeply moving study of devotion pitted against duty leads to the final stunning resolution and is built around a quietly devastating central performance by Yuka Takeshima.