Amid the COVID-19 state of emergency in Japan, this human drama traces the lives of four university students, both Deaf and hearing. Their joys and sorrows intersect in a complex four-way relationship.
Content Warning: Emotional Pain
Bio: Mika Imai is a Deaf and Non-binary filmmaker from Gunma, Japan. Imai has been filmmaking since the sixth grade and by sophomore year in high school was recognized with a best film award at the Yokohama Deaf Art Festival. In 2014 Imai received a best film award at the 2nd annual Irish Deaf Film Festival for the short film Sign Name Game. Imai’s earliest work relies upon visual action and Japanese Sign Language (JSL) as the vessels for expression. Imai’s first film to incorporate a soundtrack, Until Rainbow Dawn, debuted in 2019 at the 27th Rainbow Reel Tokyo International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and featured at the 29th Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. Imai’s latest feature Ginger and Honey Milk premiered to a sold out audience at the 3rd Tokyo Deaf International Film Festival in 2021.
Website: mika-imai.com