Asako 1&2

Panorama

"The Helmer’s Ninth Work Boasts A Momentous Leap In His Career."

Variety
  • Archive - Festival 34
  • Director: Ryusuke Hamaguchi
  • Japan, France 2018
  • 120 minutes
  • Japanese
  • Subtitles in Hebrew, English

When Asako and Baku lock eyes at an Osaka photography exhibition, it is love at first sight – and, with the film in a playful mode - there are actual fireworks to prove it. Alas, despite Baku’s promises, their romance doesn’t march merrily towards a happily-ever-after ending. He disappears, leaving Asako to pick up the pieces. Then, two years later in Tokyo, she stumbles across his doppelgänger.

Asako 1&2, presented in competition in Cannes this year, is a sweet, smart and thoroughly idiosyncratic romantic comedy.


  • Director Ryusuke Hamaguchi
  • Production Yuji Sadai, Teruhisa Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Hattori
  • Script Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Sachiko Tanaka
  • Cinematography Yasuyuki Sasaki
  • Editing Azusa Yamazaki
  • Music Tofubeats
  • Festivals Cannes (Competition)
  • Actors Masahiro Higashide, Erika Karata
  • Source MK2 Films, Paris