LOVE ON TRIAL
DIRECTOR: Kōji Fukada.
124 minutes. japan. 2025. Languages: japanese. Subtitled. COLOUR.
ORIGINAL TITLE: RENAI SAIBAN
Official Selection, Cannes Premiere, Cannes International Film Festival 2025
IFI DUBLIN
tue 14 OCTOBER 18.00
BOOK TICKETS: IFI DUBLIN
The screening at IFI DUBLIN will be introduced by Dr. Kim-Marie Spence (School of Arts, English and Languages, Queen’s University Belfast)
TRISKEL CORK
FRI 17 OCTOBer 18.00
BOOK TICKETS: TRISKEL CORK
The screening at TRISKEL CORK will be introduced by Dr. Till Weingärtner (Department of Asian Studies, School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, University College Cork)
eye cinema galway
SCREENING DETAILS TBC SOON!
BOOK TICKETS: eye cinema GALWAY
This intriguing new film by gifted Japanese writer-director Kōji Fukada (Harmonium; Love Life; EAFFI festival guest 2023) follows Mai, a rising J-Pop idol in girlband Happyfanfare, and her journey from fantasy to harsh reality. When Mai’s romantic relationship with former classmate Kei goes public, her career collapses, entangled in a public trial for violating the so-called ‘no dating’ clause in her management contract. Inspired by real lawsuits the film exposes a controlling, exploitative industry where a glittering world of young female idols are marketed as a fantasy of ‘purity and virginity’. With former idol Kyoko Saito in the lead role, the film has an authenticity and emotional resonance that offers powerful commentary on the complexities of idol culture and personal freedom, both in Japanese society, and more globally.
(Marie-Pierre Richard for EAFFI Discoveries)