The Lone Ume Tree, a feature film included in the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2022, is one of the most popular choices by both audiences as well as the screening venues. The 77-minute-long film bravely depicts the life of a grown-up man with autism in Japan and his aged mother who has been his prime carer since his birth. Beyond the potentially deceptive tones, ‘heart-warming’ and ‘comical’, this film poses very urgent and significant questions that current Japanese society and families with disabled members face in the 21st century.

According to the programme notes for this film, written by an expert on autism in Japan*, the situation for autistic people and those with other developmental disabilities in Japan has been improving over the last fifteen years, but remains imperfect. Does The Lone Ume Tree accurately render the reality of those with intellectual disabilities and their families, or is it just a sensational and sentimental drama?

As part of the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2022, WAJIMA Kotaro, the film maker behind The Lone Ume Tree has been invited to explain the motivation behind this film and what he wanted to achieve, daring to touch upon rather sensitive and difficult subject matter.

In conversation with James Moore, columnist for the Independent, who has a family member with autism, they will explore – comparing both Japan and UK – if people with disabilities can be truly integrated with the rest, and indeed if there is anything more film makers such as WAJIMA can help do to improve society through their work.

*Based on the programme notes written by Professor SENJU Atsushi, Director of Research Centre for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine

This online event is free to attend but places are limited and registration is essential. To reserve your space, please book your ticket here.