https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoYF9UCWciM&t=5s
Set in a Shinto shrine, nestled among the swaying cherry blossoms in the seaside town of Ushimado, The Cats of Gokogu Shrine is the new film from Japanese filmmaker Kazuhiro Soda. It tells the story of the coexistence between humans and nature and Japan's fascination with catlore.
Directed by Soda and produced by his wife, Kiyoko Kashiwagi, who also stars in the film, the documentary offers a unique perspective on life at the shrine and the feline neighbours that occupy it. Soda tells Culture 101's Maggie Tweedie that the film began by accident.
The narrative explores the tension between the local community and the street cats, highlighting the contrast between those who nurture, neuter, and protect them, and those who resent their presence, particularly due to the mess they leave on the pristine village streets. Soda, known for his observational filmmaking style, funds his projects independently to retain creative control.
The Cats of Gokogu Shrine portrays the shrine as both a spiritual centre and a place of community for the public. The film's success, demonstrated by sold-out screenings in Berlin, Sydney, and London, can be attributed to the cats' widespread appeal, symbolising Japan's cultural reverence for these creatures.
The Cats of Gokogu Shrine screens in Aotearoa from April 10;
Lighthouse Cuba
Lighthouse Petone
Lighthouse Pauatahanui
Rialto Newmarket
Lumiere
Bridgeway
Devonport Vic
Len Lye Screening Room
