The Tracer

Hamaguchi wrote and directed this film as a graduation project for the students at ENBU Seminar (film and theater school in Tokyo) when he taught there. It is a three-part film: The first part is a documentary style production of a play; Then the actual full stage production of the play; and the epilogue. Poetry and written words play the central role in the movie.

In the past, a family is executed by soldiers for cannibalism - except for the little girl, Katy Bane McKay. She is adopted by Judge Mackay and goes home with him to Canada, where she grows up with no knowledge of her family's pass. Then, in the present, several deaths occur and people begin to think it's Katy Bane McKay. After all -- blood will out.

In a small town in rural Kansas, a troubled veteran attempts to restore an old merry-go-round ride.

Jan Randall suffers from terminal cancer, fearing being bedridden. She rejects medication, opting to live her final days in a tent in her backyard to maintain autonomy and avoid hospitalization.

Follows the story of the challenging relationship between Billie and her younger schizophrenic sister, Elizabeth Baby. After their mother dies, Billie takes responsibility by moving Baby in with her family, including her husband, their teenage son and young daughter. At first, Baby and the family work to adjust to their new living arrangement. However, after a disturbing incident involving her son and Baby, it becomes clear to Billie that she and her family are not equipped to handle Baby's illness, ultimately forcing her to make the difficult decision to do what's best for her sister and her family.