CreditsCast Staff Profile KUMASAKA IzuruBorn in 1975 in Saitama Prefecture, KUMASAKA's film, coffee and milk, which he shot independently while working at a television production company, was selected as a finalist from 786 submission at the PFF Award Competition 2005. It went on to win the Special Jury Prize, the Best Concept Award, and the Best Creativity Award. KUMASAKA also won the privilege to shoot the 17th PFF Scholarship Film.Names are written with family names first in the Japanese style |
The 17th PFF Scholarship Film ASYLWinner of the Best First Feature Award at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival.  SynopsisA woman turns the rooftop of a worn down "love hotel" into a park and opens it up to the public. She gives a glimmer of hope to the lonely hearts of the women from various generations whom she encounters there. These women each receive silent encouragement from Tsuyako who, together with the women, also obtains a life affirming happiness. In an obscure corner of the city, these isolated women regain the strength to face life by affirming themselves. A young girl with silver dyed hair and a large backpack on her shoulders wanders about town taking pictures of the scenery and people with her Polaroid camera.
She sees old people and children entering a run down "love hotel" one after the other and follows after them. On the roof of the hotel, people freely pass the afternoon hours with the slides, swings, and benches placed there. That night, "love hotel" owner, Tsuyako, gives shelter to the silver-haired girl. Mika impertinently calls Tsuyako, "Granny", but Tsuyako sees into her deeply held loneliness. |