The Light Shines Only There(HKAFF2024)

Based on a novel by Yasushi Sato, Mipo O’s award-winning drama reaches for a light in the dark with the bleak tale of broken young people stuck in dead end lives. Since experiencing a traumatic incident at work, Tatsuo has been passing his days in aimless stupor. He befriends by chance an impulsive young ex-convict and his long-suffering older sister Chinatsu, who sells herself to support her decrepit family. In each other, Tatsuo and Chinatsu find a glimmer of hope and solace, and perhaps the courage to start anew, but it’s not so easy to break out of the impoverishing cycle of abuse and apathy.

Best Director, Montreal World Film Festival
Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Readers’ Choice Award, Kinema Junpo Awards
Best Supporting Actress, Asian Film Awards