International Premiere

Yu Irie (8000 Miles 1 & 2) returns with this ambitious flick about an upcoming concert by a reclusive rock group and the managers, obsessed fans, shut-ins, single moms and kindergarten teachers who are affected by it. A true tribute to the healing power of rock and roll. Welcome to a blood and thunder sermon in the church of rock. Ecstatic, funny, transcendent – if Robert Altman’s Nashville had been about rock music instead of country music, it would be Ringing in Their Ears, the latest from festival favorite, Yu Irie, whose hip hop films, 8000 Miles and 8000 Miles 2 were crowd favorites at last years’ NYAFF. But this movie is a mighty leap forward for him – a sophisticated film that leaves his indie cinema roots far behind.

Presented with Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema.