Tokyo 2014: ‘Starting Over’ a coming of age, coming out story and a stark portrait of isolation
Less coming of age or coming out story as it is a stark portrait of isolation, Takashi Nishihara’s microbudget Starting Over follows nineteen year-old Nana (Mika Akizuki) in her struggle to survive in a society that has stacked the odds against her. Shot independently, guerilla-style, the resulting film is compelling albeit slightly rough around the edges.