Matcha & Vanilla (2021)

A lesbian couple in conservative Japan must fight to stay together when one of them is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Yuki and Ai are a long-term lesbian couple living in the closet in Japan's traditional society. When Yuki is diagnosed with terminal cancer, they must fight against their family, the hospital and society in order to stay together until the end.

Director Biography - Hamish Downie

Hamish Downie is an Australian LGBT filmmaker and producer based in Osaka, Japan. After teaming up with Paul Leeming and directing some music videos for word music diva, Robyn Loau, he made his first short film, "Silence", which did well on the festival circuit in Europe. Buoyed by that success, he ventured out to make his first feature film, "Matcha & Vanilla" which reunites the creative team behind "Silence". Hamish hopes to continue to make films that have a multi-cultural focus, and in the future would like to make an animated series. For his next project, he hopes to make a musical web series.

Hamish Downie Director Statement

Fear is one of my biggest muses. The "Never Let You Down" music video was about the time I was getting stalked by a fan. "An American Piano" was my cry for world peace at a time that felt like we were going to have another world war. And "Silence" was about an abusive relationship I was in. Now, with my debut feature film, "Matcha & Vanilla" I'm tackling both love and fear. I've been in a long term relationship for a while, and moved to Osaka to be closer with this person. Things are going well, although we don't have a lot of money. My biggest fear is that one of us gets sick, and we can't financially support each other. More importantly, as we don't have Marriage Equality in Japan, if my partner were to get sick and go into hospital, I might never see him again as I'm not recognized as being his family. This is a real fear that all LGBT couples in Japan have. So, I wanted to hold up a mirror to that with this film. Making the film was very cathartic for me, and for our team.

Please tell us your motivation for making your film:

I wanted to help the Marriage Equality movement in Japan

What is the theme of your submission?:

The Power of Love

What was the message you wanted to convey with this project?:

That so many of the tragedies that are faced by LGBT in Japan could be so easily overcome if we only had Marriage Equality. It would mean that our partner's wouldn't disappear away from us because the hospital or family don't recognize us during times of illness.

More about this project

"Matcha and Vanilla" reconnects the award winning team behind the short films, "An American Piano" and "Silence" in their first feature film collaboration. The film stars Qyoko Kudo (The Wolverine, Babel) and Tomoko Hayakawa - two of the most talented actresses in Japan working today. With this film, we hope to support Marriage Equality in Japan.

News & Reviews

" TG Geeks Staffer, Hamish Downie, Wraps His Debut Feature"

Two Gay Geeks

https://www.tggeeks.com/blog/2019/01/22/tg-geeks-staffer-hamish-downie-wraps-his-debut-feature/

Matcha & Vanilla (2021) Credits:

Hamish Downie

Director

Hamish Downie, Qyoko Kudo, Tomoko Hayakawa

Writer

Hamish Downie

Producer

Paul Leeming

Producer

Tomoko Hayakawa

Key Cast

"Yuki"

Qyoko Kudo

Key Cast

"Ai"

The Wolverine, Babel

https://gol-studios.com/en/project/overview/6685e6abcfedb1559dc4f2ab7bd7903c/film_info

Screenings / Awards:

Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

September 12, 2021

World Premiere

Official Selection - Asia Focus