There’s a moment that happens in many of Ryusuke Hamaguchi's films when, deep in conversation, the characters are suddenly shown in close-up, speaking straight at the camera. It’s a simple technique, but it can be startlingly effective. Every shade of emotion is on full display. As a viewer, it can leave you feeling like a voyeur — or a confidante.
Many movie fans around the world are only just discovering Hamaguchi’s deft, probing explorations of the human heart. The 43-year-old had a breakout year in 2021, as he released two wildly contrasting but complementary films to widespread acclaim: the slow-burning Haruki Murakami adaptation “Drive My Car” and three-part anthology “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy.”
This week, “Drive My Car” became the first Japanese film ever to be nominated for the Academy Award for best picture. Hamaguchi is also in the running for the best director Oscar — only the third time a Japanese filmmaker has been up for the prize, after Akira Kurosawa (“Ran”) and Hiroshi Teshigahara (“Woman in the Dunes”) — as well as best adapted screenplay and best international feature.
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