In a small seaside town somewhere in Japan, a young ex-sex worker works at a roadside restaurant. When she is not working, she unwittingly gets acquainted with strangers and showers them with her charm and benevolence. Casual, empathic relationships build up. The only common thing that unites these strangers with her is their shared loneliness; but then, their lives are suddenly kindled through her association. Nothing much happens; there is no big reveal. And life moves on in small strokes.
CALL ME CHIHIRO (Japan, 2023) by Rikiya Imaizumi is a meditative, feel-good film that is imbued with a certain melancholy without being depressive; rather, it is extremely joyous, a mood that is elevated by the charming and unpredictable protagonist who insists on being called Chihiro.
Enjoy this sparkling film on Netflix.
Ranjan Das is a Mumbai based filmmaker & faculty.