The Cats of Gokogu Shrine [CTC]
BREC CineSaver Pass One Pass, Five Entries: Full: $85 | Conc/Student: $75
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BREC CineSaver Passes can be purchased online, or via the BREC Box Office on 1300 661 272.
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DIRECTOR: Kazuhiro Soda
COUNTRY: Japan
LANGUAGE: Japanese with subtitles
GENRE: Documentary
CLASSIFICATION: CTC
RUN TIME: 119 mins
The Cats of Gokogu Shrine [CTC]
The seaside village of Ushimado in Okayama is the home of filmmaker Kazuhiro Soda and his wife and producer Kiyoko Kashiwagi – as well as dozens of street cats. Having found a haven in the ancient Shinto shrine of Gokogu, the animals live in harmony with their human neighbours (for the most part), but there is disagreement on how best to manage them. Some people feed them; some volunteer to catch them for a desexing program; others are indifferent, preferring instead to tend the temple’s gardens.
Meanwhile, some forward-thinking locals see their potential as a tourism draw for the town. When Soda and Kashiwagi settled in Ushimado, they quickly discovered the area’s natural and communal beauty and decided to document it over the course of a year.
The Cats of Gokogu Shrine is also a portrait of how communities hang together. Soda returned from the USA to live in Ushimado after being trapped in Japan due to COVID. He and his wife adopted two of the local cats and became part of the community, as well as the makers of this documentary, adding another layer to this fascinating story.
“Observing street cats is observing human society. And that is what made me curious, made me want to explore more… Following my ten commandments, I wouldn’t do any research or any preparation beforehand. So, everything was spontaneous. But I ended up observing the human society by observing the cats”
– Kazuhiro Soda
Berlin International Film Festival | 2024 Nominee | Berlinale Documentary Award | Kazuhiro Sôda
San Francisco International Film Festival | 2024 Nominee | Golden Gate Award | Best Documentary Feature | Kazuhiro Sôda
Ticket Prices
Full: $19
Conc/Student: $17
Under 18: $12
Group 8: $14
BREC CineSaver Pass
One Pass, Five Entries
Full: $85
Concession/Student: $75
For the best value on your cinema tickets, purchase a BREC CineSaver Pass, valid for 5 entries to any BREC International Film Festival screening in 2025!
BREC CineSaver Passes can be purchased online, or via the BREC Box Office on 1300 661 272.
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Sip on refreshing drinks, indulge in your favourite movie snacks, and treat yourself to our famous toasted paninis. Arrive early or linger after the film to soak up the ambience. Whatever your plans, the Festival Hub is your place to relax, connect with fellow film lovers, and let the magic of cinema carry you away.
