Like Grains of Sand

Three sisters gather to celebrate their mother's birthday at a relaxing ryokan with onsen; each other's company seems far from the relaxation they are after. (Movie edit of the 5-episodes TV drama).

Kanao, a courtroom portrait artist, observes crimes, scandals and the decline of Japanese values without passing judgement. As he and his wife endure the tragedy of their first child’s death, hope slowly unfolds and their love story flickers to life once again.

An omnibus collection of six short films the stories are the result of skull sessions at workshops lead by writer and director Ryosuke Hashiguchi. The film depicts body-length tight fetishists called Zentai. The members of the group convene at a karaoke parlor and celebrate their obsession together.

Ito, Yoshida, Kanbara, and Harumi are high school classmates. Ito secretly has feelings for his best friend, Yoshida. Yoshida doesn't seem confused by Ito's feelings, but simply accepts them naturally. However, one night.

Naoya and Katsuhiro are boyfriends, new in their relationship. Things are uneven at first—Naoya is open and free while Katsuhiro is cautious and closeted—but nothing compares to the chaos that arrives when Asako, a troubled woman with a history of psychiatric problems, abortions, and casual sex, asks Katsuhiro to conceive a child with her.

The drama is a family story with a lot of black humor about the tragedy and joy of three sisters who gave their mother a trip to a hot spring for her birthday.

A depressed widower, a bored housewife, and a gay lawyer all intersect in this triptych of love lost.

Tatsuru and Shinichiro’s relationship shifts from casual to complicated as love and emotions blur the lines between their work and personal lives.

Early work of the celebrated director.

Early work of the celebrated director.

Early work of the celebrated director.

Is this fiction or reality? The filmmaker himself suddenly appears on screen with his real name, and the process of making a film with his friends is described. There are casual, everyday conversations with a girl who happens to be an actress and her friends. At the end, the filmmaker visits the girl's room. This is the "truth of the filmmaker's own life" captured by the camera, which moves almost continuously and without any sense of artifice. The last scene in particular is condensed and infinitely endearing.

Hashiguchi's own high school years from 1979 to 1981 on 8mm.

8mm work from the director

A love omnibus drama which shows how lovers are connected through mind and body.