A former yakuza Mikami goes back to Tokyo after serving 13 years in prison in Hokkaido for a murder. A crew from a broadcast station approaches him and suggests making a documentary on the touching story of an ex-convict reuniting with his mother. Mikami, who wants to find his missing mother, accepts the offer. Mikami attempts to adapt to society and get a fresh start in an old apartment on the outskirts.
Under the Open Sky is the eighth film by Nishikawa Miwa, who is already widely known for previous works such as Wild Berries and Sway. By showing a former yakuza and ex-convict’s process to take part in society again after he got released, the film questions whether the rules of the society are truly rightful and whether the world we are living in is worth adjusting to. Yakusho Koji, who plays the leading role, delivers outstanding performance. (CHUN Jinsu)