Director Kisin Saito Debuts Genre-Bending Feature Film 'Kefi' at Tokyo Festival
Japanese filmmaker Kisin Saito makes his feature directorial debut with 'Kefi', a genre-fluid family drama premiering in Tokyo's Nippon Cinema Now strand.
In Brief
- •Japanese filmmaker Kisin Saito makes his feature directorial debut with 'Kefi', a genre-fluid family drama premiering in Tokyo's Nippon Cinema Now strand.
- •The film follows three estranged sisters played by Riho Takada, Mari Iriki, and Konatsu Kato who reunite in Fukui prefecture after their father's death.
- •Blending drama with surreal elements like extra-terrestrials, body-swapping narcotics, and shared dreamscapes, the narrative is structured across four distinct chapters.
Why It Matters
'Kefi' marks the transition of acclaimed cinematographer Kisin Saito into feature directing, showcasing a bold, visually vibrant aesthetic that combines familial grief with surreal genre tropes. Its debut at the Tokyo International Film Festival's competitive Nippon Cinema Now strand highlights emerging auteur talent in contemporary Japanese cinema.
Key Details
- Director
- Kisin Saito
- Festival Strand
- Nippon Cinema Now (Tokyo)
- Narrative Structure
- Four chapters (Human, Triangle, Punishment, Reunion)
- Setting Location
- Fukui Prefecture, Japan
Context & Background
The film's premise of estranged sisters reuniting following a parent's death draws thematic comparisons to traditional Japanese family dramas, while its chaotic, surreal execution recalls cult Japanese cinema such as 'Survive Style 5+'.'
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