“A formal exercise miles away from the clichés that abound about contemporary Japan.”
—Première

“Universal and impressive … Reminiscent of Pialat and Cassavetes.”
—Les Inrocks

In her second feature, Yôko Yamanaka delivers “a slap to the face of Japanese society” (L’Humanité). DESERT OF NAMIBIA follows Kana, a pathologically directionless 21-year-old navigating the emotional wasteland of modern Tokyo, flitting between unfulfilled dreams and unsteady relationships on a rocky path of self-discovery. Teeming with striking visuals and bold storytelling, this Cannes Directors’ Fortnight 2024 selection possesses the same reckless abandon as its lead.