EMPTY LANDS

Other movies
EARLY DAYS
Director: Priyankar Patra
Filmmaker Priyankar Patra captures the zeitgeist of young love in this fresh-feeling romantic drama. The film follows the beginnings of a relationship between Preeti and Samrat, an aspirational couple in their mid-twenties who have just moved to the megalopolis of Mumbai. As they share their love story via reels on social media, where the immediate validation and promises of quick money initially seduces, and then propels them into the world of influencers. The film explores the impact of social media on contemporary relationships, while its cinematography creates an intimate and voyeuristic viewing experience, similar to that that of social media voyeurism. With its topical subject and natural performances, Early Days is a relatable watch.
KOKUHO
Director: Lee Sang-Il
A box-office hit in Japan, Kokuho is Lee Sang-il’s long-gestating passion project, born from a 15-year fascination with kabuki and the tradition of onnagata: male actors who play female roles on stage. Adapted from a novel by Shūichi Yoshida, the story begins in 1964 Nagasaki and unfolds over five decades, tracing the bond between Kikuo — taken in by a kabuki master after his father’s death — and the master’s son, Shunsuke. Part brotherhood, part rivalry, their connection fuels a sweeping saga of ambition, sacrifice and devotion within a revered theatrical lineage. Starring Ryo Yoshizawa and Ryusei Yokohama, Kokuho is visually sumptuous and emotionally resonant — a powerful meditation on legacy, identity and the high cost of artistic greatness.