Feels From Reels: Kokuho

A Spoiler-free Film Review Series

Source: IMDB

Feels from Reels is a spoiler-free film review series, where I capture only the emotions I felt and thoughts that came from them, after viewing a movie. This kind of reflection helps me consider the emotional connection an audience has to my own characters and stories in screenplay. I hope you enjoy! <3

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🎬 Film: Kokuho (2025)

Resources:

• IMDB ⬅️ see Trailer, Director, Producers, Writers, and Cast here

• Screenplay 👀 Couldn’t find one, but if you find a safe screenplay copy for download, please comment!

• Adapted from a Novel? Yes, “Kokuho” by Shûichi Yoshida

• Logline: “In post-war Japan's economic boom, gangster family-born Kikuo Tachibana finds himself adopted by a kabuki actor. Despite life's challenges, he develops into a gifted performer.”

• Where I Was: Santa Cruz Cinema, after Kokuho’s 2026 release in the United States

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🫀Feelings and Emotions

“I felt…” “That left me feeling…”

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🤔 Thoughts from Feelings

“What an unexpected start”

“I’m learning so much about Kobuki and the lifestyle of Onnagata”

“Why does she follow him?”

“So much reverence”

“I’m so glad this still exists today”

“Why the rivalry?”

“How lonely”

“Such discipline”

“Of course they don’t understand”

“Beauty and tragedy woven throughout”

“What a graceful way to exist”