L’Illusion de Yakushima, drama directed by Naomi Kawase, hits theaters on June 17, 2026. The film follows a French woman living in Japan, torn between her campaign for pediatric organ donation and her partner’s sudden disappearance.
The Illusion of Yakushima
Drama | 2026
In theaters: June 17, 2026
Running time: 1h52
Directed by Naomi Kawase | Starring Vicky Krieps, Kan’ichirô, Ojiro Nakamura
Nationalities: Japan, France, Luxembourg, Belgium
Distributor: Ad Vitam
The story follows Corry, a French woman living in Japan with Jin. At Kobe University Hospital, she stands by children waiting for heart transplants. In a country where organ donation remains a delicate topic, she works to shift public perception and attract more donors.
The situation takes a turn when Jin vanishes without a trace. Corry then sets off to find him, while also tackling another urgency: getting a young patient the transplant he needs. The film thus weaves together two narrative strands, one centered on a disappearance and the other on a medical deadline.
With The Yakushima Illusion, Naomi Kawase returns to a cinematic realm tied to Japan, to nature, and to the ties between the living. The Japanese filmmaker, already the director of The Delights of Tokyo, Toward the Light or True Mothers, brings together here an international ensemble led by Vicky Krieps.
The film is likely to appeal to viewers who gravitate toward intimate dramas, hospital-set narratives, and works that delve into the links between culture, the body, and disappearance. It’s not really aimed at those seeking a light story or a plot that relies solely on suspense.
The Illusion of Yakushima is announced for all audiences with a warning. This advisory signals that certain themes, notably illness, transplantation, and disappearance, may require guidance for younger viewers.
The official trailer for The Illusion of Yakushima offers the first glimpse of Naomi Kawase's film.
To extend the in-theatre experience, check out the June cinema releases, the must-see films right now, and our selection of the dramas of the year.
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