Cicada
2014
7.1
★
Cicada is the story of Jumpei-- a man who loses sight of his progeny when he finds out he is infertile, but then is given the gift of clairvoyance and begins to see glimpses of the future. These glimpses lead him to a series of cicada shells, which become symbolic of his desire to shed his old self. Though his lineage ends with himself, Jumpei starts anew as a father-figure to his sister's young son.
Directed by Dean Yamada
IMDB
N/A
Cast
Yugo Saso
Jumpei Taneda
Masayuki Yui
Gankane-san
Sakae Kimura
Susumu Niikura
Crew
Rachel Van Der Merwe
Producer
Joey Kennedy
Key Grip
Popular Reviews
15 reviews
Tommy_54
8.0★ · 02/09/26
The writing was slightly wonky but it managed to get emotions out of me, despite having a strong student film vibe to it.
The writing was slightly wonky but it managed to get emotions out of me, despite having a strong student film vibe to it.
rubythefuby
9.0★ · 04/11/25
SO UNDERRATEDD, it's kind of a short movie but everything happens so naturally that it doesn't even feel that short. I really love how the cicada is a metaphor to the silence (also really loved the virgin suicides mention). And similarly to Mysterious Skin it also handles heavy topics in an amazing way. This is my queer summer movie idc
SO UNDERRATEDD, it's kind of a short movie but everything happens so naturally that it doesn't even feel that short. I really love how the cicada is a metaphor to the silence (also really loved the virgin suicides mention). And similarly to Mysterious Skin it also handles heavy topics in an amazing way. This is my queer summer movie idc
juanpi
6.0★ · 03/12/24
mysterious skin meets weekend
mysterious skin meets weekend
Taf
8.0★ · 11/27/23
Tender, Pure, Authentic.
There is a lot of love that went into the making of this film. A lot of pure lived experience, alot real pain, real trauma in it. It wonderfully explores queerness, and interracial dynamics in an intersectional way I've not quite seen before. The way this is written and created, its a story that blurs a line between a narrative and a doc, and its where the beauty of it lies. There is growth in the relationship between the protagonists, real human growth. And they learn to love each other the way they need to. The performances are remarkably grounded, and it feels as though I'm watching real people, live a real life.
The film making is subtle, almost so subtle you don't quite notice it and I adore it. There are parts when it loses momentum but it always picks itself up.
This is champion, independent cinema at its most grassroots level. The film was made under a $50k budget, and they use every resource to its max. It makes me smile because you don't need millions because the wealth of your film is in the richness of your story. Matt Fifer can be incredibly proud of this outing. If it's the only film he ever makes, I'm sure he would be satisfied with what he created with this.
It's by no means a Perfect film, but everything at the core it is flawless. This is what it means to be a story teller.
There is a lot of love that went into the making of this film. A lot of pure lived experience, alot real pain, real trauma in it. It wonderfully explores queerness, and interracial dynamics in an intersectional way I've not quite seen before. The way this is written and created, its a story that blurs a line between a narrative and a doc, and its where the beauty of it lies. There is growth in the relationship between the protagonists, real human growth. And they learn to love each other the way they need to. The performances are remarkably grounded, and it feels as though I'm watching real people, live a real life.
The film making is subtle, almost so subtle you don't quite notice it and I adore it. There are parts when it loses momentum but it always picks itself up.
This is champion, independent cinema at its most grassroots level. The film was made under a $50k budget, and they use every resource to its max. It makes me smile because you don't need millions because the wealth of your film is in the richness of your story. Matt Fifer can be incredibly proud of this outing. If it's the only film he ever makes, I'm sure he would be satisfied with what he created with this.
It's by no means a Perfect film, but everything at the core it is flawless. This is what it means to be a story teller.
Tender, Pure, Authentic.
There is a lot of love that went into the making of this film. A lot of pure lived experience, alot real pain, real trauma in it. It wonderfully explores queerness, and interracial dynamics in an intersectional way I've not quite seen before. The way this is written and created, its a story that blurs a line between a narrative and a doc, and its where the beauty of it lies. There is growth in the relationship between the protagonists, real human growth. And they learn to love each other the way they need to. The performances are remarkably grounded, and it feels as though I'm watching real people, live a real life.
The film making is subtle, almost so subtle you don't quite notice it and I adore it. There are parts when it loses momentum but it always picks itself up.
This is champion, independent cinema at its most grassroots level. The film was made under a $50k budget, and they use every resource to its max. It makes me smile because you don't need millions because the wealth of your film is in the richness of your story. Matt Fifer can be incredibly proud of this outing. If it's the only film he ever makes, I'm sure he would be satisfied with what he created with this.
It's by no means a Perfect film, but everything at the core it is flawless. This is what it means to be a story teller.
There is a lot of love that went into the making of this film. A lot of pure lived experience, alot real pain, real trauma in it. It wonderfully explores queerness, and interracial dynamics in an intersectional way I've not quite seen before. The way this is written and created, its a story that blurs a line between a narrative and a doc, and its where the beauty of it lies. There is growth in the relationship between the protagonists, real human growth. And they learn to love each other the way they need to. The performances are remarkably grounded, and it feels as though I'm watching real people, live a real life.
The film making is subtle, almost so subtle you don't quite notice it and I adore it. There are parts when it loses momentum but it always picks itself up.
This is champion, independent cinema at its most grassroots level. The film was made under a $50k budget, and they use every resource to its max. It makes me smile because you don't need millions because the wealth of your film is in the richness of your story. Matt Fifer can be incredibly proud of this outing. If it's the only film he ever makes, I'm sure he would be satisfied with what he created with this.
It's by no means a Perfect film, but everything at the core it is flawless. This is what it means to be a story teller.
Lily Scott
8.0★ · 02/27/26