Cottontail

Bereaved and heartbroken, Kenzaburo struggles to deal with the passing of his wife and ignores continued attempts from his estranged son to reconnect. When a letter emerges revealing that his wife’s final request is for father and son to travel to Lake Windermere to spread her ashes, it seems to be a chance for reconciliation. Toshi’s wife and daughter join them for the trip, but things go awry when Kenzaburo stubbornly decides to complete the journey on his own, despite speaking hardly any English and having little idea where abouts in the country the Lake or even Cumbria, actually is. 

Director Patrick Dickinson’s deeply emotional first feature can sit proudly alongside the work of great Japanese auteurs Ozu and Koreeda in its compassionate exploration of family and forgiveness. Directed with a lightness of touch and a sprinkling of knowing humour, it features a moving central performance from Lily Franky (Shoplifters) as the grief-stricken Kenzaburo, lost in a confusion of memories of his beloved wife and her fascination with Beatrix Potter’s rabbits, one of whom gives the film its name.

SPECIAL GUESTS: We will be joined by Patrick Dickinson, the films director, post showing for a Q&A.