The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2026: The Hotel of My DreamTBC18+

Directed by TSUTSUMI Yukihiko | Japan | 2024 | 1h 38m | Japanese w/ English subtitles | Starring Non, TANAKA Kei, TAKITO Kenichi

Despite winning an award for newcomers, the future of rookie novelist NAKAJIMA Kayoko (Non) does not seem at all bright. Unable to make a brilliant debut, Kayoko’s struggles all stem from harsh criticism, particularly from veteran writer HIGASHIJUJO Munenori (TAKITO Kenichi), now her number-one enemy! Determined to prove herself, Kayoko checks into a prestigious hotel for a writing retreat, only to find Munenori himself is staying directly above her.

With the help of editor ENDO Michio (TANAKA Kei), she devises a plan to take revenge by successfully sabotaging Munenori’s work. However, this act of retribution only marks the beginning of even more misfortune for Kayoko…Can she claim her place in the literary world and continue on her path as a novelist, as she so desperately desires?

Based on the novel by YUZUKI Asako (the author of BUTTER), veteran director TSUTSUMI Yukihiko (Hope, JFTFP25; First Love, JFTFP22) delivers an honest account of the life of a young novelist who dreams of success within the Japanese literary establishment. This charming film is filled with satire, humour, and one woman’s inexhaustible power to break through.

Image credit: (C) 2012 Asako Yuzuki/Shinchosha (C) 2024 “The Hotel of my Dream” Film Partners

 

 

Book tickets

Tuesday 10 February

6.00pmBook tickets

What else is on?

Today (Tuesday 13th January)

18:15

Fiume o morte! 18
£6 for Members
1h 52m | Croatian & Italian w/ English subtitles
Igor Bezinović revisits D’Annunzio’s 1919 ultranationalist occupation of Fiume, blending archival footage, reenactments, and interviews. This inventive documentary interrogates memory, myth-making, and lingering fascist shadows. Winner of Rotterdam’s Tiger Award and Croatia’s Oscar submission.

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20:45

Sentimental Value 15
£6 for Members
2h 13m | Norwegian w/ English subtitles
Actress Nora confronts her estranged father, a famed director preparing a comeback, and reconnects with her sister. Old tensions and new ambitions collide, forcing them to face their past. Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning star in Joachim Trier’s (The Worst Person in the World) emotionally rich story of reconciliation.

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Tomorrow (Wednesday 14th January)

15:15

Fiume o morte! 18
1h 52m | Croatian & Italian w/ English subtitles
Igor Bezinović revisits D’Annunzio’s 1919 ultranationalist occupation of Fiume, blending archival footage, reenactments, and interviews. This inventive documentary interrogates memory, myth-making, and lingering fascist shadows. Winner of Rotterdam’s Tiger Award and Croatia’s Oscar submission.

Book here

17:45

Sentimental Value 15
2h 13m | Norwegian w/ English subtitles
Actress Nora confronts her estranged father, a famed director preparing a comeback, and reconnects with her sister. Old tensions and new ambitions collide, forcing them to face their past. Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning star in Joachim Trier’s (The Worst Person in the World) emotionally rich story of reconciliation.

Book here

20:45

Lurker 15
1h 41m
Isolated retail clerk Matthew infiltrates pop star Oliver’s glamorous inner circle but quickly discovers the ruthless social dynamics behind fame. Alex Russell’s directorial debut is a tense psychological thriller for the social media era, where obsession and ambition collide.

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!