The Long Excuse

Acclaimed director (and Kore-eda Hirokazu protégée) Nishikawa Miwa (Wild Berries, Sway, Dear Doctor), based her latest film on her own emotionally complex novel. When egotistical celebrity writer and cheating husband Sachio (Motoki Masahiro, Departures) loses his loyal wife (Fukatsu Eri) to a tragic bus accident he appears nonplussed at best. He initially feigns grief, but then finds himself inexplicably befriending another widower, a poor and simple man truly devastated by the loss of his wife killed in the same crash. Despite his despicable character, Sachio bonds with the man and his two adorable children, even looking after them while their father is at work. As he grows attached to this new found family, and rediscovers his wife through ethereal memories, his pain finally becomes tangible. Motoki’s stellar and nuanced performance as a flawed man on an unexpected path of redemption proves Nishikawa’s resolutely profound dramatic trajectory triumphant and transcendent. (Synopsis from New York Asian Film Festival)

『永い言い訳』
Film Festivals (selected): New York Asian Film Festival, Nippon Connection, Camera Japan Festival
Available to stream on (subject to change): n/a