In her new film "Ripples," Japanese director Naoko Ogigami, known for her ability to depict various female experiences through imagery, focuses on the midlife crisis of women. It tells the story of a middle-aged woman who, after her husband leaves her, finds solace in a new faith. She meditates and prays daily, only drinking bottled water sold by the church, and transforms her garden into a dry landscape resembling ripple patterns. Unexpectedly, her husband returns, seeking care while battling cancer, and their son brings home his disabled girlfriend, disrupting her seemingly peaceful life and unleashing suppressed dark emotions. Naoko Ogigami departs from her previous healing imagery style, revealing the oppressive realities faced by Japanese women through sharp, thrilling portrayals of earthquake radiation, environmental care, disabilities, and religious faith. Mariko Tsutsui brilliantly portrays the despair and helplessness of a housewife, culminating in a stunning dance that represents both a personal journey and a broader message of self-redemption for women.
