Sara Minami

Film / Reviews Aug 28, 2019

'Mugen Foundation': When adolescence becomes too much

by Mark Schilling

The seishun eiga (youth film) is not exclusive to Japan — plenty of films from elsewhere deal with the joys and agonies of adolescence — but this popular genre has acquired certain only-in-Japan quirks. For one thing, many seishun eiga directors are old enough to ...

Film / Reviews Jul 11, 2018

'Shino Can't Say Her Name': A teenage struggle that speaks to everyone

by James Hadfield

There's a point in many teenagers' lives where few things are more mortifying than the prospect of having to speak in public. High school freshman Shino (Sara Minami) has it worse than most. When she's by herself, she can talk perfectly fine, even play-acting ...