Based on a collection of short stories by Haruki Murakami, this animation follows the lives of multiple characters as they navigate post-Tsunami existence and the existential repercussions of urban life, including a bank employee without ambition, his disheartened wife, a delusional accountant, a lost cat and a giant talkative frog.

The Garden Cinema View: A woozily animated tapestry that recalls Richard Linklater’s animations (Waking Life, A Scanner Darkly) and distils the essence of Haruki Murakami’s short stories. The English speaking voices might be alienating for some, but this is an impressively original and mature film.

And you can join our Haruki Murakami weekender on 8 & 9 April where you can watch both Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman and Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s masterful Drive My Car back to back!