FUNUKE, SHOW SOME LOVE YOU LOSERS! (FUNUKEDOMO, KANASHIMI NO AI WO MISERO) International Feature Competition

Kyomi dreams of writing mango but she feels trapped by a dysfunctional family stewing in dashed dreams, suppressed rage and sexual deviance. Director Daihachi Yoshida’s eccentricity seems influenced by the work of Todd Solondz and Wes Anderson, but he has his own unique visual style.

In an attempt to save the family’s black cat from being run over two members of Kyomi’s family are killed. Her grief worsens when her beautiful older sister, Sumiko, a failed actress, returns home to wreak havoc on the household, and especially Kyomi for whom she reserves a particular brand of cruelty. And then there is a neurotic sister-in-law, who crafts bizarre dolls out of yarn and buttons.

Yoshida’s visual style is at its apex when he animates Kyomi’s personal horror mango art onscreen. A spectacularly graphic unfurling of family secrets escalates the sisters’ feud and sets the stage for an uncompromising climax.