Maha Harada debuts as director with ‘In My Father’s Room’ at Zinemaldia

Japanese novelist Maha Harada has made her directorial debut with ‘In My Father’s Room’ (Muyou no hito), which is competing for the Golden Shell at the Zinemaldia film festival. The film is an adaptation of her story ‘An Unnecessary Man’.

Set in Tokyo, the narrative follows Satomi, a museum worker portrayed by Aoi Yû, who discovers a hidden side of her late father after receiving a key to his belongings. The film explores themes of art, poetry, and the Japanese tea ceremony, connecting these traditions to the abstract works of Mark Rothko.

Harada, who previously worked as a museum curator, noted that her transition to filmmaking was driven by her highly visual prose. She expressed a desire to highlight ‘small voices’ through the medium, emphasizing the emotional impact of subtle storytelling over loud, grand narratives.