88 minutes, Japan, 2022
Directed by Mao
Theater screening on Saturday, September 14 at 3:15 p.m. at Hang On to the Dream Theatre in Hollywood. Main cast Masahiko Nishimura and director Mao in person.
Available online from Sep. 1 at 12:00 a.m. through Sep. 16 at 12:00 a.m.
MADO (Window)
Starring Masahiko Nishimura, “MADO (Window)” is an extremely closed, socially conscious drama based on a true story of the actual court case known as “Yokohama Secondhand Smoke Trial” in Japan.
This is the first feature film directed by a successful commercial director, Mao. Being a son of the plaintiff, he had a great passion for tackling this sensitive issue caused by chemical sensitivities.
It’s also written by Ma＊To, who is Mao’s father and the defendant of the trial.
Family “A” lives in a suburban apartment complex in Japan.
Since February 2016, the A’s have been suffering from cigarette smoke pollution coming from the apartment of family “B,” who live downstairs.
They received a medical certificate from their doctor stating that their daughter had developed “multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS),” and a lawsuit against B for 45 million yen was initiated.
The plaintiffs “A,” a family of 3 left behind by society due to isolation and loneliness, and defendants “B,” who are in a different position, with a different way of perceiving and accepting the situation.
Through each perspective, the film depicts the various problems and divisions caused by “chemical hypersensitivity.”