An Indian director's take on Japan's courtroom reality

Anshul Chauhan's 'December' portrays flaws of people and society

In "December," Kana, played by Ryo Matsuura, faces retrial for the murder of a classmate when she was in high school. (Courtesy of 2022 December Production Committee)

DANIEL EAGAN, Contributing writer

August 20, 2023 11:40 JST

NEW YORK -- A grieving father confronts his daughter's murderer -- her former classmate -- in "December," a Japanese courtroom drama by India-born director Anshul Chauhan.

It is the third feature by Chauhan, who has been living in Tokyo since 2011. After being nominated for the Kim Jiseok Award at the Busan International Film Festival in 2022, "December" was shown at the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) in July.