Sidonie in Japan (2023)

Sidonie (Isabelle Huppert) is a renowned writer invited to travel to Osaka, Japan, for six days. A Japanese publisher plans to republish Sidonie’s first book, and she is now being given the opportunity to sign copies of the book in person for long-term fans and participate in press interviews. While she accepts the invitation and packs her bags, it’s obvious that at the airport, Sidonie is having second thoughts. Perhaps something is holding her back- a larger issue that runs deeper than the long and tiring eleven-hour flight. Thankfully, a stranger working behind the counter assures her it will be worth it.

After arriving in Japan by plane, Sidonie meets with a local publisher named Kenzo Mizoguchi (Tsuyoshi Ihara). Kenzo is responsible for Sidonie’s transportation, overseeing various interviews, and ensuring that her time in Japan goes smoothly. He even offers to take Sidonie to visit locations such as a temple and promises to never leave Sidonie alone. Sidonie and Kenzo develop an unlikely friendship throughout her book tour, sharing deep discussions about their past and current challenges. Sidonie confides in Kenzo about the loss of her husband, which has also stopped her from writing. While in Japan, she experiences many unfamiliar things, which may help her move on with her life or keep her in a joyless world. At the same time, strange and unexplainable things happen in Sidonie’s hotel room, including windows being left open, abnormal dreams, and even seeing the ghostly presence of her deceased husband.

The film Sidonie In Japan is a drama directed by Élise Girard, who also made Belleville Tokyo. The movie tells a touching story, and it is intriguing how Sidonie’s personal struggles are not immediately apparent, including the reasons for her mysterious reluctance to go to Japan. As the story progresses, we learn more about her through her interactions with Kenzo, press interviewers, and her unexplainable visions and dreams. Actress Isabelle Huppert delivers an outstanding performance and there are many memorable scenes that are both heartfelt and emotional. The visuals are terrific, and it is enjoyable to see Sidonie experiencing new things in Japan. However, the pacing of the film is a major concern. It is slow, and sometimes it feels like there is little story progression. The final moments are rewarding, but getting there can be a bit of a challenge due to the slow pace.

Overall, if you’re looking for a drama film with a touching romance, then watching Sidonie In Japan is a good choice as it delivers many unforgettable moments on-screen. Isabelle Huppert’s acting is impressive as she portrays a character coping with a personal loss and many unexplainable events.  Watching her friendship and romance with Kenzo develop is beautiful, and the details of the story are gradually revealed as the story progresses. However, the major drawback is its pace, which can be prolonged and drawn out at times. Nevertheless, the touching finale is worth the journey.

Sidonie in Japan (2023) is available in Australian Cinemas starting July 4th!

6.4/10

Rating: 3 out of 5.

25th February 2024
Written by Peter Walkden

THANK YOU FOR VISITING!

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It's Christmas time, which means a critical thing for family man Chris (Eddie Murphy): the opportunity to enter one of the most exciting contests of the year. Chris will again compete with his fellow neighbours, all of whom will decorate their homes to the best of...

Silent Night (2023)

After witnessing the brutal murder of his son during a drive-by shooting, Brian (Joel Kinnaman) instantly chases after the men involved. However, during a showdown, Brian is gunned down and badly wounded. The results of the chase and his wounds leave Brian recovering...

Slotherhouse (2023)

Emily (Lisa Ambalavanar) is a young student in a sorority house who lacks the confidence to raise her hand in the upcoming election for sorority president. While shopping at her local mall, an incident occurs, and she meets a stranger who has animals for sale,...

It’s a Wonderful Knife (2023)

It's Christmas Eve in the small town of Angel Falls. Winnie’s (Jane Widdop) Christmas holidays are less than pleasing. The city is dramatically changing due to the town's mayor, Henry Waters (Justin Long), who is continually forcing people out of their homes due to...

Trolls Band Together (2023)

Long before Branch (Justin Timberlake) ever met Poppy (Anna Kendrick), Branch was a member of the famous pop band "BroZone". Made up of Branch and his brothers, the band was doing well until they had a disagreement before a massive performance. The arguments and...

The Old Oak (2023)

TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner) owns “The Old Oak”, a pub in a village north of England. The pub has seen better days and relies on a small group of regular customers who visit often. It's also evident that the community members have never recovered from the loss of the...

The Skeleton Key (2005)

Caroline (Kate Hudson) is a skilled nurse, continually exhausted from witnessing facilities and workers treat patients as disposable. Seeking a healthier environment, Caroline quits her current position and seeks alternative employment. After perusing the ads in the...

Uproar (2023)

In the early '80s, Josh (Julian Dennison) is a seventeen-year-old high school student. Each day at school, Josh does his best to keep to himself, keeping his head down to avoid conflict with fellow students. Life for Josh has its challenges. Not only is he constantly...

Christmess (2023)

Chris (Steve Le Marquand) was once a famous actor, featuring in many hit films. However, a growing addiction to alcohol changed everything for the worse. Not only did Chris find himself in rehab, but over the years, he has become highly distant from his only daughter,...

The Royal Hotel (2023)

Two backpackers and good friends, Hanna (Julia Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick), are having the time of their lives as the cruise ship they are currently travelling on enters Sydney, Australia. However, their wild times of travelling and partying halt when Liv...

Thanksgiving (2023)

It was supposed to be just another Black Friday sale in a large retail store located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. However, the actions of several people from the community led to something terrible occurring during the opening of the retailer, ending with tragedy,...

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

Sixty-four years before Katniss’ The Hunger Games (2012), young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) is attempting to earn a scholarship with great rewards. On the day Coriolanus expects to receive the prize for all his strenuous efforts, unexpected changes are made to the...

Interview: Madeleine Dyer / A Savage Christmas (2023)

Walkden Entertainment (aka Peter Walkden) had the honour and pleasure of chatting with Madeleine Dyer, director and co-writer of A Savage Christmas (2023), which is available in Australian Cinemas from November 16th. After years of estrangement, trans woman Davina...

Next Goal Wins (2023)

The American Samoa soccer team is famous but for all the wrong reasons. They are known for their tragic losses, including the embarrassing defeat by Australia in which American Samoa lost 31-0. Conversely, Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) has been sacked from...

The Marvels (2023)

Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) continues to protect and serve all in our universe. A new enemy named Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) has arisen, seeking a pair of powerful ancient armbands that she hopes will restore her home planet, Hala. While Dar-Benn...

Shortcomings (2023)

In a Californian cinema, a new film is introduced during a film festival, and among the audience are Ben (Justin H. Min) and his current partner, Miko (Ally Maki). As the film credits roll, Ben is utterly unimpressed, while his partner and the audience around him are...

The Dive (2023)

Two sisters, May (Louisa Krause) and Drew (Sophie Lowe) are spending the day together by driving and heading to a mysterious location. While driving, the pair engaged in basic catch-up conversation and got up to date with their present lives. Soon, May and Drew arrive...

Scarygirl (2023)

The Keeper (Anna Torv) is seeking a rare mythical octopus and is currently offering various bandits and bounty hunters a high-paying reward. While the reward is impressive, the only problem is that it's nearly impossible for anyone to find one! After a brief...

When Evil Lurks (2023)

In a small remote village, we follow a pair of brothers, Pedro (Ezequiel Rodríguez) and Jimi (Demián Salomón), who hear strange noises from afar. Working together, the pair investigate, discovering that a demon has heavily infected a man, and it is ready to give...

Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles (2023)

I would be utterly speechless if you told me you've never heard of the greatest band in Australia. This band, many would claim, is like The Beatles but made for toddlers. You may have heard of The Wiggles, Anthony (The Blue Wiggle), Murray (The Red Wiggle), Greg (The...

Night of the Hunted (2023)

Alice (Camille Rowe) is travelling a long distance home after attending a work conference. Spending the night at a hotel before another long day of travel, Alice receives a phone call from her partner at 2 a.m. in the morning, confirming that she will make it to her...

A Savage Christmas (2023)

It's Christmas Day, and following tradition, the Savage family is all coming together in a sweet home in Australia. It's no secret that the family has had challenges and past disagreements. Nevertheless, the Savages have decided to come together and celebrate the day...

Monolith (2022)

A mysterious man opens the film with a narrative, telling viewers how he wants to share a secretive story, revealing that there was something different about his family when he was a young child. In this story, he shares critical details of a stalker who claims to be...

The Crime is Mine (2023)

The film opens with an upset and frustrated woman named Madeleine (Nadia Tereszkiewicz), who is leaving a luxury house and walking home. Returning home to her roommate, Pauline (Rebecca Marder), Madeleine reveals that her audition for the upcoming performance was a...

Bring Him to Me (2023)

A skilled getaway driver (Barry Pepper) receives an unexpected phone call from a ruthless crime boss named Veronica (Rachel Griffiths). The getaway driver is told to drive to a bus stop outside a local hardware store and pick up a passenger (Jamie Costa). This...

Mercy Road (2023)

With a story all set on one night, we first meet Tom (Luke Bracey) when he is dashing to his truck and urgently driving off. Tom is panicking and frantically trying to run away as quickly as possible, hoping nobody nearby sees him. While driving, Tom attempts to call...

V/H/S/85 (2023)

Welcome back to the most remarkable period ever (well, in my opinion): the '80s. V/H/S/85 serves as the sixth instalment in the popular V/H/S series, where viewers are introduced to various segments (or short films), all played directly from a mysterious videotape....

Interview: Nathan Phillips / Wolf Creek (2005)

Walkden Entertainment (aka Peter Walkden) had the honour and pleasure of chatting with Nathan Phillips, lead actor of Wolf Creek (2005), which is Now Available on Blu-ray thanks to Via Vision Entertainment. Are you a lover of horror films in general? If so, what are...

Wolf Creek (2005)

After a creepy warning that the film is based on actual events, viewers are informed that thirty thousand people are reported missing in Australia annually. Thankfully, ninety per cent of them are found within a month, but some are never seen again. We are then...

Totally Killer (2023)

Thirty-five years ago, in 1987, three women were brutally murdered in a suburb known as North Vernon. Each victim was stabbed sixteen times. The newspaper named the killer "Sweet 16," and witnesses had spotted the ruthless murderer wearing all black and a mask. In the...