THIS REVIEW IS PART OF BLITZ’S CONTINUED COVERAGE OF THE 71ST SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL, 5-16 JUNE. READ THE REST OF OUR REVIEWS HERE.
When it comes to any form of media, I usually find myself gravitating towards those that have even the slightest to do with the domesticities of an Asian family. If just a morsel of on-screen representation means depression and a touch of family dysfunction, I’ll take it. So there was no doubt that I’d be sat for Cottontail this year’s Film Festival.
Cottontail grieves with Kenzaburo (Lily Franky) as he navigates his days without his wife, Akiko (Tae Kimura). Akiko’s battle with dementia and her eventual death bring Kenzaburo and their son Toshi (Ryo Nishikido) together in an attempt to fulfil her last earthly wish - spreading her ashes on Lake Windermere in England; A far distance from their home in Tokyo.