Radiance, written and directed by Naomi Kawase - 8 out of 10

Radiance, written and directed by Naomi Kawase
8 out of 10


This motion picture has a beautiful name and "Words Create Worlds".
To use one of the leitmotifs of the Harvard Professor Tal Ben-Shahar, the film benefits from this glorious title.

The actors are excellent, the narrative is compelling and the result worthwhile.
What could be the problem?

We could see this production on our local Cinemax channel, but would it be available elsewhere.
It seems one could find anything on Netflix.

But would be wise enough to read this short note and then find Radiance there or on the Indian Cinemax say...?

Masaya Nakamori is a photographer that is going blind.
He is so enraged, affected by this horrible affliction that he throws the camera away at one point.

And that camera had been his soul.
There is a certain sense of aggression, perhaps a too violent reaction when he does that next to the real Wonder of this film.

For some reason, it made think of articles in The Economist where I have read that the Japanese society is still quite patriarchal in some ways.

They have very few foreigners and women do not seem to enjoy a full, in practice equality with men.

The real delight of this motion picture is Misako Ozaki portrayed by the wonderful Ayame Misaki.
A heroine that is a kind, dedicated, gentle, innocent, seraphic really, delicate, charming, tender, angelic woman.

She helps the blind, is actually committed to them.
Misako develops a very close, warm relationship with Nakamori.

She falls in love with the man and abandons herself to him with passion.

I am not sure though if he deserves her.

Radiance is a...radiant film!