Desert of Namibia

Yoko Yamanaka’s second feature follows Kana, a 21-year-old Japanese woman of vacillating and unpredictable humour as she swaps one boyfriend for another. A beautician with little commitment to her work and no real desire to achieve anything, she can sometimes be cruel and aggressive. A wild child? She is simply alive. Nevertheless, unconvincing doctors diagnose her with bipolar disorder. With its dry editing and zooms, the film conveys the disarray of a woman battling against a society that is still rigid and patriarchal. Winner of the FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes Directors' Fortnight. Yuumi Kawai sweeps multiple Best Actress awards, including the Kinema Junpo and Blue Ribbon Awards.