Marie-Lou has recently been appointed the head of a care facility in the center of Paris, and many of the nurses at the facility are not happy. Marie-Lou rules with a soft touch rather than an iron fist, and introduces a new philosophical approach to care, called “humanitude”, which gives residents of the home as much agency as the nurses, and often allows the patients to participate in the caregiving. As Marie-Lou faces pushback against her new philosophy in the home, she meets Mari, a Japanese theatre director who is putting on a production in Paris. As the two explore the similarities between them and their views on the world, Mari reveals that she is dying, and the doctors say that it could happen at any time. Moved by Mari’s resilience, Marie-Lou invites her to come live at the care facility, where she can teach the residents about acting and theatre techniques.
Fresh off of one of the strongest one-two punches of the century, with Drive My Car becoming Japan’s very first Best Picture nomination at the Oscars, and Evil Does Not Exist, which was the runner-up for the top prize at the Venice Film Festival, Ryusuke Hamaguchi seems to be unstoppable. All of a Sudden proves just that. With this film, Hamaguchi explores his endless optimism and love of life. This is a movie full of empathy and love, an appreciation for life, aging, and yes, even an appreciation for death. It is a story about how beautiful it is to experience all of it, and how beautiful it is to be a human being alongside others. With his signature blending of theatre and use of rehearsal as a way to explore characters, Hamaguchi takes us to unexpected places.
The 2026 edition of the Forest City Film Festival is Powered By London Hydro.
