Still the Water (2014)
A tender, visually poetic Japanese drama by Naomi Kawase, set on Amami Island where two young people confront love, grief, and the pull of the natural world.
Still the Water - Movie Information
- Original Title: 2つ目の窓
- Release Year: 2014
- Directed by: Naomi Kawase
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 2h 1m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 1, 2014 (Japan), October 1, 2014 (France), April 10, 2015 (Spain), October 9, 2014 (South Korea - 19)
- Alternative Titles: Immer wieder das Meer (DE), Futatsume no mado (JP), Вторият прозорец (BG)
- Production Companies: Comme des Cinémas, ARTE France Cinéma, Kumie, Asmik Ace, Pony Canyon, WOWOW
- Production Countries: Japan, France, Spain
Still the Water - Plot
On the Japanese island of Amami, despite lacking parental guidance, Kaito and his girlfriend Kyoko try to find their place in the world. While Kaito suffers from the absence of his father, who moved to Tokyo after his birth, Kyoko must come to grips with her mother's terminal illness.
Still the Water - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and experience the quiet beauty of Amami Island:
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Still the Water - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Naomi Kawase
Main Cast
- Nijiro Murakami
- Junko Abe
- Miyuki Matsuda
- Tetta Sugimoto
- Makiko Watanabe
- Jun Murakami
- Hideo Sakaki
- Fujio Tokita
- Sadae Sakae
- Kazurô Maeda
Writers
- Naomi Kawase
Producers
- Luis Miñarro
- Masa Sawada
- Naomi Kawase
- Takehiko Aoki
Still the Water - FAQs
Where can you stream Still the Water?
Still the Water is available to stream for free on Kanopy and Hoopla. It is also available on Film Movement Plus and the Film Movement Plus Amazon Channel via subscription. Viewers can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.
What is Still the Water about?
Still the Water follows two teenagers, Kaito and Kyoko, growing up on the remote Japanese island of Amami. Kaito struggles with his absent father, while Kyoko faces her mother's terminal illness. Against a backdrop of lush nature and the sea, the film explores first love, mortality, and the search for identity.
Who directed Still the Water?
Still the Water was directed by Naomi Kawase, the acclaimed Japanese filmmaker known for her poetic, nature-immersed style. Kawase also wrote the screenplay and co-edited the film. She is celebrated internationally and has been a regular presence at the Cannes Film Festival throughout her career.
What is the significance of the sea in Still the Water?
The sea in Still the Water functions as a living metaphor for the cycles of life and death. Kawase uses the ocean surrounding Amami Island to mirror the emotional states of her characters, connecting the natural world's rhythms — tides, storms, calm — to the human experiences of love, grief, and transformation.
Who are the lead actors in Still the Water?
The film stars Nijiro Murakami as Kaito and Junko Abe as Kyoko, the two teenage protagonists. The supporting cast includes Miyuki Matsuda, Tetta Sugimoto, Makiko Watanabe, Jun Murakami, Hideo Sakaki, and Fujio Tokita, among others.
When was Still the Water released?
Still the Water had its Japanese theatrical release on June 1, 2014. It opened in France on October 1, 2014, and in South Korea on October 9, 2014. The film reached Spanish audiences on April 10, 2015. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2014.
How was Still the Water received by critics?
Still the Water earned largely positive reviews, with critics praising Naomi Kawase's immersive visual style and the film's meditative approach to adolescence and mortality. Reviewers highlighted the stunning Amami Island photography and the naturalistic performances of the young leads as particular strengths.
What are similar films to Still the Water?
Viewers who enjoyed Still the Water may also appreciate The Piano (1993), Monsoon Wedding (2001), Cocoon (2020), Gemma Bovery (2014), and Boys Don't Cry (1999). For Japanese cinema in a similar vein, Sweet Bean (2015) and Air Doll (2009) offer comparable emotional depth and visual sensitivity.
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