On today's episode of the podcast, we discuss Japanese filmmaker Naomi Kawase who has been programmed at the Cannes Film Festival more than almost any other director this century, and why she's one of the best and most under-appreciated filmmakers.

This episode features Editor-in-Chief Alex Heeney, Executive Editor Orla Smith, Associate Editor Brett Pardy, and special guest Milly Gribben.

Get the box set of books about women directors — Kelly Reichardt, Céline Sciamma, and Lynne Ramsay — who have screened films in the Cannes Competition.

Sign up for updates on the podcast and other news about women directors at Cannes this year. 

On this episode:

• Intro (0:00)
• Who is Naomi Kawase? (11:45)
• Our introductions to Naomi Kawase (15:57)
• The themes in Naomi Kawase’s films (26:00)
• Sound and sense of place in Kawase’s films (47:15)
• Why are men so mad at Naomi Kawase? (51:48)
• Why Cannes hasn’t always been the best launchpad for Naomi Kawase (1:04:50)
• Closing thoughts (1:07:47)

Show notes:

• View the history of women directors at Cannes
• Watch Naomi Kawase’s TED Talk on her approach to cinema
• Read Lindsay Pugh’s review of Sweet Bean on her website Woman in Revolt
• Read Lindsay's interview with Sweet Bean actress Kirin Kiki
• Read Alex's profile interview with Agnieszka Holland
• Read Orla's interview with Ammonite director Francis Lee

Related episodes:

• Women at Cannes Ep. 1: A podcast on the history of women directors at Cannes
• Women at Cannes Ep. 2: Kelly Reichardt at Cannes 2022
• Women at Cannes Ep. 3: Céline Sciamma at Cannes
• Ep. 80: The Babadook and Prevenge: Motherhood in horror (Members' Only)
• Bonus 16: Watching Lena Dunham’s Girls in 2021 (Members' Only)
• : Water Lilies and Jennifer’s Body: Girlhood and compulsory heterosexuality (Member's Only)

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