The Hidden Festival
The Hidden Festival
1998, Japanese. Directed by Taku Shinjo.
Taku Shinjo spins this rural drama about ancient taboos and encroaching modernity. Takamine (Gitan Otsuru) is a big-city workaholic sent to a small remote island to seal a business deal. His predecessor almost managed to convince the island's 17 inhabitants to sell their stake and make way for a resort hotel -- that is, before he died under dubious circumstances. Takamine finds the islanders polite and kind but unwilling to discuss business; instead, they tell him to become an islander. So the city-slicker stuffed shirt loses his tie and starts to help the women plant and the men fish. He soon makes his acquaintance with Takako (Mitsuko Baisho), the widowed daughter of the island's chief. She lives alone with her crazed son who is kept Jane Eyre-style chained to a stake. One moon-lit night, their mutual attraction boils over, resulting in a naked, passionate roll on the beach.
- Runtime
- 1h 43m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- Japanese
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch The Hidden Festival
The Hidden Festival isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 30 May 1998.
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Cast & crew
Details
- Released
- 30 May 1998
- Original title
- 秘祭
- Country
- Japan
- Written by
- Shintarō Ishihara
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News & fan talk
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The Hidden Festival: quick answers
Is The Hidden Festival worth watching?
The Hidden Festival doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is The Hidden Festival?
The Hidden Festival runs 103 minutes (1h 43m).
Does The Hidden Festival have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Hidden Festival. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Hidden Festival parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The Hidden Festival yet.
Which OTT platform is The Hidden Festival on?
The Hidden Festival isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 30 May 1998. (Checked 12 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Hidden Festival?
If you liked The Hidden Festival, try The Ballad of Narayama, Come Sunday, The Young One.
Who directed The Hidden Festival?
The Hidden Festival (1998) was directed by Taku Shinjo and stars Mitsuko Baisho, Gitan Ohtsuru, Norihei Miki.