Hey, it’s another edition of the Short Film Spotlight! I know I haven’t posted shorts in awhile, but this one is well worth it. JUNKO’S SHAMISEN is a hyper-real anime inspired revenge tale that is brilliantly crafted by Toronto-based filmmaker/animator Sol Friedman. It’s traveled to literally dozens of film festivals, wowing audiences with its beautiful visuals and production design. Influenced by the aesthetic traditions of kabuki, contemporary manga illustrations and through the use of CG, stop-motion and cell animation, the director creates a unique world that immediately draws you in.Here’s a one-line synopsis: A young Japanese orphan, and her mystical friend, exact poetic justice on a malevolent samurai lord.

I recommended Sol to my friends at the Toei-Kyoto Studios, who were organizing the Kyoto Filmmakers Lab this past December. You can read about my experiences here. I was fortunate to meet him and he’s a super chill guy, and out last day in Kyoto, had a great steak lunch. It was awesome. Anyway, Sol is super talented and I can’t wait to see what he does next.

So without further adieu, enjoy JUNKO’S SHAMISEN: