Female (2005 film)

Female (Japanese: フィーメイル, Hepburn: Fīmeiru) is a 2005 Japanese anthology film composed of five short films, each directed by a different filmmaker and based on a short story by a notable Japanese woman writer. The segments collectively explore themes of women’s sexuality and contemporary female identity in Japan.

Production

The project brings together five directors—Ryuichi Hiroki, Suzuki Matsuo, Shinya Tsukamoto, Tetsuo Shinohara, and Miwa Nishikawa—who each adapted a story by a celebrated female author. The film was produced by Munehiro Umemura and features an ensemble cast that includes Kyōko Hasegawa, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Chihiro Otsuka, Saki Takaoka, Nene Otsuka, and Eri Ishida. It was released in Japan in 2005 with a runtime of 118 minutes and is performed in Japanese.

Segments

1. Momo (Peaches) – Based on a story by Kaoruko Himeno; directed by Tetsuo Shinohara; starring Kyōko Hasegawa, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, and Eri Nomura.
2. Taiyō no Mieru Basho Made (Drive Until You See the Sun) – Based on a story by Yuzuki Muroi; directed by Ryuichi Hiroki; starring Chihiro Otsuka, Mitsuko Ishii, and Hairi Katagiri.
3. Yoru no Shita (Licking Nights) – Based on a story by Kei Yuikawa; directed by Suzuki Matsuo; starring Saki Takaoka.
4. Megami no Kakato (Heels of the Muse) – Based on a story by Asa Nonami; directed by Miwa Nishikawa; starring Nene Otsuka and Naoyuki Morita.
5. Tamamushi (Jewel Beetle) – Based on a story by Mariko Koike; directed by Shinya Tsukamoto; starring Eri Ishida, Ryō Kase, and Kaoru Kobayashi.

Reception

The film received positive reviews for its nuanced portrayal of modern Japanese womanhood. Variety’s critic Russell Edwards described it as a “celebration of modern womanhood and sexuality in Japan.”[1] Specific box‑office figures and broader critical consensus are not extensively documented in readily available sources.

References

1. Edwards, Russell (August 9 2005). “Review: Female.” Variety. Retrieved 2015‑03‑10.
2. “female フィーメイル.” MovieWalker (archived). Retrieved 2015‑03‑10.
3. “female フィーメイル (2005).” AllCinema. Retrieved 2015‑03‑10.

Note: Information is drawn from the English‑language Wikipedia entry for the film and corroborated by cited Japanese film databases.