Cutie and the Boxer functions as a love story about a couple and their devotion to their individual art. Zach Heinzerling’s directorial debut concerns itself with the difficulties of marriage, but also the trials of being an artist. After meeting Ushio and Noriko Shinohara in Brooklyn through a friend, Heinzerling was immediately fascinated by their relationship and lifestyle – two extremely different artists in attitude, age, and craft who have been married and lived together for over 40 years. Cutie and the Boxer came together over five years. Two or three years spent solely on getting to know Ushio and Noriko personally, one year on shooting, and another on editing. While Heinzerling admits that he does not know very much Japanese, he achieves an insider’s view that creates a truly intimate snapshot of Ushio and Noriko’s complicated relationship. (Alexandra Byer)