Stranger things in Osaka

Based on an award-winning manga series, Osaka Hamlet is a heart-warming story of a few ordinary people living in downtown Osaka, and their everyday relationships and struggles.

Osaka Hamlet, the July Japanese film screening at Massey University’s Auckland campus, paints a portrait of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances in a working-class district of Osaka.

After Yukio’s father’s sudden death, his mother Fusako is left holding the family together. When a mysterious man appears at the door, claiming to be the dead father’s younger brother, Fusako welcomes him into the family as if he were her husband. The film follows the lives of Fusako’s three sons – Masashi, Yukio and Hiroki. Soon after the clumsy uncle’s arrival, life begins to get strange.

Yukio's teacher tells him he resembles Shakespeare's Hamlet, which makes him wonder why. His older brother Masashi, instead of preparing for his high school entrance exam, spends all of his time with his girlfriend, who is eight years his senior. His younger brother Hiroki tells his classmates he wants to be a girl, and decides to play the part of Cinderella at the school play.

With all these strange things happening around them, the boys start to find their answers and realise the preciousness of life.

Osaka Hamlet will screen at Massey University’s Auckland campus at Albany on Wednesday July 5. The monthly Japanese films play on the first Wednesday of the month, at 6.15pm. Preceding the main feature is a short documentary on life and culture in Japan, which starts at 6pm. Unless specified, the films are screened in the Atrium Round Room on the ground floor of the Atrium Building. There is free parking available on campus.

Osaka Hamlet is rated PG – parental guidance recommended for younger viewers.

Director: Fujiro Mitsuishi

Running time: 107 mins

For more information on the Japanese films visit the Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland website here.