The Cats of Gokogu Shrine

The Shinto Gokogu Shrine in the port town of Ushimado, with a population of just 8,000, has become a refuge for stray cats. Some care for the strays, hoping that the cats will attract tourists, while others fear the spread of disease and filth and wish to have the cats sterilized. Calmly, the camera of documentary master Soda manages to characterize each animal. The adventurous but fragile life of the cats is juxtaposed with residents’ meetings, where the concerns of the slowly disappearing port community are discussed.

We saw “The Cats of Gokoku Temple” a couple of years ago and immediately fell in love with it. The story of a community that patiently and lovingly cares for stray animals blooms in the hearts of viewers like the most beautiful and delicate flower. I still remember that warmth. I think that this emotion is what we need now more than anything else. – Festivals Programmer Vilma Levickaitė

Kazuhiro Soda

Kazuhiro Soda is a Japanese documentary filmmaker based in New York since 1993. The filmmaker practices an observational method of documentary filmmaking based on his own “Ten Commandments” which prohibits him from doing pre-shoot research or writing a synopsis before filming. His films have been screened at such events as Berlin International Film Festival, Venice International Film Festival, Locarno International Film Festival among others.