Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car captured the hearts of audiences and critics around the world, garnering four Oscar Nominations, including Best Director and Best Picture. A master of encapsulating honest human connection through candid conversation, Hamaguchi’s films testify to his gift as a director who can deftly guide actors through detailed, evocative scenarios. To celebrate his recent acclaim and give audiences an opportunity to explore more facets of his work, we are bringing back an encore selection of five films from his past several years of directing. (Most titles will be returning to NWFF for a second time.) These meticulously crafted works, in runtimes that range from 35 minutes to 5 hours, beautifully encapsulate love, friendship, heartbreak, and what follows each of them.

On Thursday, April 14, we will have a special double feature of the two shortest films in the series: Touching the Skin of Eeriness (2013) and Heaven is Still Far Away (2016), neither of which has played theatrically in the States. We look forward to sharing these rare works with Northwest Film Forum audiences!

Apr. 6 | Asako I & II (寝ても覚めても) (2018)
Apr. 13 | Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (偶然と想像) (2021)
Apr. 14 | Double Feature: Touching the Skin of Eeriness (不気味なものの肌に触れる) (2013) & Heaven is Still Far Away (天国はまだ遠い) (2016)
Apr. 16 & 17 | Happy Hour (ハッピーアワー) (2015) (return the next day with the same ticket if 5 hours is over your limit!)

$45 General
$23 NWFF Members
$35 Student/Child/Senior