River Returns (2025)

Name: River Returns
Released: 2025-03-22

Original title: 光る川
Directed by: Masakazu Kaneko
Country: Japan
Rated: 12
Rating: 7.0 of 10 from 14 voters
Elsewhere: IMDb

The 3D catalogue: film cases on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalogue in 3D

The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this film is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A film inspired by folktales from the Nagara River region, following a young woman who encounters lingering connections between the past and present. The story blends local folklore with her personal journey.

peacefulcontemplativelyricalgroundedgentlenostalgicmysteriousslow-paced

What happens

『光る川』（ひかるかわ）は、2025年3月22日に公開された日本映画。監督は金子雅和、主演は華村あすか。松田悠八の小説『スタンドバイミ-一九五〇』を原作に、長良川流域の民話や伝承からインスパイアを受けて金子雅和が自由な発想のもと飛躍させ、映画用のオリジナル脚本を書き上げた物語。 (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

More like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems. Not quite it? You can browse by genre, country and year, or take this one into the 3D catalogue and ask the Catbot for something closer.