Monster

The latest film by Hirokazu Kore-eda sees the Cannes Palme d’Or-winner (Shoplifters) return to his native Japan with a wondrously and heartbreakingly humanistic tale that is much needed in these times. The reputation of schoolteacher Mr Hori is questioned when a local fire triggers the circulation of scandalous rumours. Meanwhile, single mother Saori despairs when her son Minato, a student in Mr Hori’s class, comes home from school injured and visibly disturbed, yet unable to share what has happened to him. Not all is as it seems, but to reveal more would be to spoil the compelling drama and mystery of Kore-eda’s evolving, non-linear portrait of community, friendship and family. Beautifully crafted and featuring sublime performances (particularly from young Soya Kurokawa and Hinata Hiiragi), Monster is an emotionally rich experience, with intelligent layers that keep unravelling and surprising, right up to the very last frame.

Kimberley Sheehan, Film and Events Programmer

The screenings on Wed 3 Apr 12:10 Studio and and Sun 7 Apr 20:10 Studio will be presented with additional Descriptive Subtitles of non-dialogue audio.

BFI Film Academy Recommends

BFI Film Academy Recommends highlights films and events for young people aged 16-25, picked by the BFI Film Academy Young Programmers.

Monster is a gorgeous portrayal of how things aren’t always what they appear to be. Hirokazu Kore-eda’s drama begins as a thriller, but ultimately reveals itself as a tender exploration of first love, heartbreak and kinship. It’s a moving exploration of how society marginalises people who are deemed to be ‘different’ – how easy it is for us to paint others as monsters without caring to look at the bigger picture of any given situation. The film asks us: who is the real monster? Is there such a thing as an objective reality or are we all makers of our very own monstrous truths?

Young Programmer, Callista Saputra