JFTFP25: In The Wake

A bizarre serial murder puts a spotlight on devastating injustices and unhealed trauma in Sendai nine years after the 2011 earthquake disaster. 

A strange serial murder case unfolds in Sendai, nine years after the city was ravaged by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami: two social workers are found starved to death after being tied up and abandoned. Both were involved in the processing of welfare benefit claims after the disaster.

Prefectural investigator TOMASHINO (ABE Hiroshi) identifies TONE (SATOH Takeru), an ex-convict trying to rebuild his life after serving prison time for arson and assault, as a prime suspect in the case. But the evidence still doesn’t fully come together. If TOMASHINO is to solve this mystery, he must delve beyond the surface into the roots of the case and face truths about the 2011 disaster that will change the system forever.

Directed by ZEZE Takahisa (Tomorrow’s Dinner Table, JFTFP22; My Friend ‘A’, JFTFP19), In the Wake is a taut social thriller that probes into the meaning of responsibility and the reality of social injustice affecting those in need.

This film is presented as part of the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2025: Am I Right? Justice, Justification and Judgement in Japanese Cinema. 

In collaboration with the Japan Foundation

Major Supporters: Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation 

Sponsors in Kind: Athletia, Calbee, Clearspring, Pentel and SUQQU