JFTFP25: Qualia

Saki has been hired for a live-in position at a family-run poultry farm. Awkwardly enough, she also happens to be in an affair with her employer’s husband, plunging the once-peaceful farm into claustrophobic chaos. 

TANAKA Yuko (SASAKI Kokone) leads a rather modest life. Having married into a chicken farm belonging to her husband Ryosuke’s (KIGUCHI Kenta) family, she now works to keep the farm’s daily operations running, together with somewhat-reclusive employee Taichi (TO Chikara) and disagreeable sister-in-law Satomi (KUDAMATSU Maya), the latter of whom subjects her to constant belittling and bullying.

While searching for an additional live-in farmhand, Yuko comes across an application from Saki (ISHIKAWA Ruka) and decides to interview her. The interview goes well, but what Yuko fails to realise is that Saki is having an affair with her husband. Oblivious to this, Yuko decides to hire Saki, and her once-peaceful life begins to fall apart…

A quirky, chaotic black comedy adapted from a theatrical production staged in 2021, Qualia is actor-turned-director USHIMARU Ryo’s remarkable debut, depicting the blurring of the boundaries between compassion and madness in the strained relationships of its characters.

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