Mud of Love

Kiriko Funo had an unpleasant experience in high school which made her stay away from love, but she wishes she could change. She walks the streets alone at night, her only hobby, in the hopes that it will inspire that change. Kiriko’s coworker, Hidemi is good at her job, but also has relations with many men. To her, sex is a way of relieving stress, and has nothing to do with love. Kiriko’s high school classmate, Konomi, has a husband and children but is tired of her dull everyday life. Because of this, she starts having an affair with Wataru, with whom she reconnected with at their high school reunion. Kiriko meets Yosuke, a regular customer at a cafe that Hidemi took her to. Talking to Yosuke is interesting, and with each time they meet her feelings grow more and more into love.

Directed by Tetsuya Takehora, Mud of Love leans on a strong ensemble — Yui Tatsumi, Shijimi, Tsubaki Kato — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2016.