Under the Cherry Tree

Feature documentary debut of 29 year old director Kei Tanaka In the Japanese town of Kawasaki elderly residents who have lived hard lives are now facing their own death at a public housing complex called Danchi The young director explores and depicts the ageing population in Japan by focusing on the personal lives of few individuals who live quietly on the outskirts of society While some of the protagonists chose to interact and establish friendships with their fellow elderly residents others prefer to spend the rest of their years in solitary