Iwane: Sword of Serenity
In conjunction with the Cambridge Film Trust and the Japan Foundation, Jesus College and the Intellectual Forum were delighted to host a film screening of MOTOKI Katsuhide’s Iwane: Sword of Serenity on Saturday 12th February, which had its UK premiere in the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2022.
Adapted for the screen from YASUHIDE Saeki’s best-selling novels, Iwane: Sword of Serenity is a gem of the modern jiudaigeki genre. SAKAZAKI Iwane (MATSUZAKA Tori) is seemingly on a path to greatness – he is a well-respected samurai, admired for his courage, chivalry, and sword-fighting – and is soon to wed his fiancée, Nao (YOSHINE Kyoko). But he becomes entangled in a tragic incident which culminates in the death of his two childhood friends, and he has no choice but to give up his current life. Leaving town and Nao behind, Iwane becomes a wandering ronin drifting to Edo. Getting by on brief, menial work, he lands a promising role as a bodyguard for respected money exchanger Imazuya. When Iwane discovers a plot to sabotage his new employers, he vows to do all he can to save those who have given him a new chance in life.
Directed by: MOTOKI Katsuhide
Starring: MATSUZAKA Tori, KIMURA Fumino, YOSHINE Kyoko
Japanese with English subtitles. Runtime 121m. Rated 15.
