Following sold-out screenings at its Canadian theatrical premiere, the internationally award-winning Japanese-English dramedy Rules of Living comes to Genesis Cinema for its UK theatrical premiere, for one night only.

Mikuko Abe is a 49-year-old career woman and divorcée, who lives in a big house by herself after her mother was moved into hospice care. She’s stuck in an unfulfilling job, caught up in a dispassionate relationship with an elite businessman, Koichi, and frustrated at her irresponsible daughter, Chieko, who’s backpacking around the world.
In order to pay the bills, she has to take in a foreign roommate, Vincent, for three months. A man with a mysterious past who has thrown it all away, Vincent is rambling around the world, trying to discover what freedom is all about. He gets a job teaching English, and after weeks of hilarious miscommunication, the strange roommates get used to each other, and Mikuko starts to open up.

Mikuko realizes she’s been fulfilling others’ expectations her whole life, but now decides to take control of her own destiny. With Vincent’s help, she follows her dream of learning English, and begins to break away from the constraints that have been put upon her for so long.

As Mikuko embarks on this new journey, she must navigate her relationships with Vincent and Koichi, and ultimately decide what kind of life she wants to lead. Will she choose to follow her heart, or will she succumb to the pressures of society?

RULES OF LIVING is a heartwarming comedy of self-discovery and taking the path less traveled.

Following the UK theatrical premiere of Rules of Living, join writer-director and lead actor Greg Dale and producer and actor Jeffrey Rowe live from Japan for a post-screening Q&A.

Greg and Jeffrey will discuss the film’s exploration of midlife reinvention, family expectations and cross-cultural connection, as well as the experience of making a bilingual independent feature with an acclaimed Japanese cast and bringing it from Japan to festivals and cinemas internationally.