Monster: KORE-EDA Hirokazu’s film starts up comparatively simple enough (but nevertheless powerful), as an open-and-shut case of bullying of a young student by one of his teachers. As the film spirals around itself, closer and closer to the story’s core, the truth is revealed to be something more complex and beautiful. ANDOO Sakura plays the young widower mother who sees her son change and tries to understand the reasons behind it; it’s a fine performance; NAGAYAMA Eita plays the young teacher who is suspected of bullying and the moniker that names the film in a tricky and effective performance. But the film truly belongs to KUROKAWA Sooya, as the son who transforms into a moody boy, and HIIRAGI Hinata, a colleague who becomes crucial to the story. It’s a film of great humanity, enhanced by the structure of SAKAMOTO Yuuji’s screenplay and the effectiveness of KORE-EDA’s editing. Composer Ryuichi Sakamoto contributed with a beautiful musical score.