Just Live, Love (2018)

生きてるだけで、愛 (Love At Least) is a film based on the novel by Yukiko Motoya. It's about a girl name Yasuko who is a hikkimori (reclusive adolescents or adults who withdraw from society and seek degrees of isolation) and has hypersomnia (trouble staying awake during the day), Yukiko feels frustrates as she can't control her emotions and a boy name Tsunagi who works in the editorial department but feels like he's nowhere near his actual passion. Two individuals who happen to be together in the night, running towards the complexity of life and the small bits of joy from being in love.

This film is about a person who struggles with depression and how they deal with life. Shuri's performance was spectacular in this film, portraying the complexity of a person with manic depression who wants to withdraw from society. Suda Masaki as the boyfriend who portrays a neutral yet emotionally intact with the character was good. Honestly, Suda Masaki on indie films is great too. He balances it portraying his characters from mainstream to indie.
Shuri and Suda Masaki in one film was a treat as they both connected with their emotions portraying their characters. I love them.

The cinematography also plays well with the story, correlating them with the character's scenes and interactions. That last part reminds me of Burning by Lee Chang-Dong where the female character dances her way to the waves of emotions while being in trance.

I guess there's few films who get a story of depression but this film gets it, hits you to the core.

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