Double Feature: Amiko & Desert of Namibia

The Paradise Theatre is thrilled to present a double bill of award-winning director Yoko Yamanaka’s two feature films in partnership with Kani Releasing. Join us May 29th for Yamanaka’s 2019 debut AMIKO, followed by her latest work- 2024’s award-winning DESERT OF NAMIBIA.

Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1997, Yoko Yamanaka was just 19 years old when her debut feature Amiko (2017) won the Audience Award at Japan’s Pia Film Festival and
went on to screen at other film festivals like Berlin, where she broke the record to become its youngest feature film director. Yamanaka first met the lead actress of Desert of Namibia (2025), Yuumi Kawai, when the latter handed the director a fan letter after seeing Amiko in high school. It read, “‘I will become an actress. Please keep me in mind for your casting list someday.’” At the 77th Cannes Film Festival, Desert of Namibia won the International Federation of Film Critics Prize, becoming the youngest female director to receive the award. Her other works include contributions to the anthology film 21st Century Girl (2021), and short films Born Pisces (2020) and See You On The Other Side (2022).

15 minute intermission between films. Doors Open 30 Minutes Before Showtime