Director
從1989年起直到2000年的十年裡，金．隆吉諾托（Kim Longinotto）一共拍了五部關於日本的紀錄片（以下簡稱「 日本系列」）。隆吉諾托當然不是日本人，她來自英國，至今作品量已累積至超過二十部的她當然也不只拍日本。一個拍了二十多部電影的導演，無論所拍是否紀錄片，都理應稱得上是多產，更何況身為女人。本文的重點不在於敘述⋯⋯
Japan—a land of paradox and fascination—has long captivated travelers from afar. With deep-rooted traditions that have withstood over 150 years of rapid Westernization, Japan continues to preserve a unique national identity and way of life, while also giving rise to a distinct and globally influential pop culture. This month, Giloo Documentaries presents a curated selection of films that explore the many faces of Japan. Journey with us across mountains and oceans, through surface and depth—encountering the worlds of fashion, Takarazuka theater, love hotels, fine cuisine, robotics, and contemporary art. Modern Japan is vibrant, eclectic, and often wildly unexpected—and these films capture its raw, untamed spirit.
Female power is finally on the rise! Nearly half of the world’s population is female, yet the attention and resources women receive remain disproportionately low. What are women thinking? Are they truly happy living in today’s society? Do they have access to the resources they need to fulfill their potential? Are women born gentle and obedient—or are they shaped that way? What does it take for a woman to become a woman? What kind of “femininity” has been predefined by families and social norms? These documentary films explore the many facets of womanhood—the struggles, the expectations, and the remarkable stories of women who defy conventions and fight to become their truest selves. Is female empowerment truly here? We’ve come a long way, but there’s still much more to do.
Kim Longinotto is a renowned British documentary filmmaker known for her unwavering focus on the lives of women facing discrimination and oppression around the world. Over the years, she has created more than 20 powerful and inspiring films. This curated series features five of her documentaries produced between the late 1980s and the 1990s, all centered on Japanese society. Through these works, Longinotto explores the roles and positions of women in Japan, offering not only intimate observations but also a rich cross-cultural perspective.
The Women Make Waves International Film Festival in Taiwan is Asia’s first issue-based film festival focusing on women. Since its founding 29 years ago, it has been dedicated not only to promoting women's work in cinema but also to introducing Taiwanese audiences to films rich in gender discourse and humanistic vision. Giloo presents a curated selection of award-winning and officially selected films from the festival — both fiction and documentary — inviting you to revisit and celebrate these powerful works.
In Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, dreams, work, and love intertwine. Life is a constant pursuit of purpose—despite the frustration, the failures, and the sense of helplessness that may await. Yet we keep struggling, relentlessly. Absurd? Perhaps. A comedy? Undeniably. And that, too, is life. The characters on stage may not be as mad as the world we live in, yet their stories mirror our own. In the illusion of theater, we often glimpse the truest reflections of ourselves