A Japanese film and a Japanese director have won awards at the 38th Montreal World Film Festival
“Fushigi na Misaki no Monogatari” (Cape Nostalgia) captured the Special Grand Prix of the Jury, the second-highest prize at the Canadian festival.
Mipo O won the Best Director award for “Sokonominite Hikari Kagayaku” (The Light Shines Only There).
“Cape Nostalgia,” directed by Izuru Narushima, depicts exchanges between the female owner of a cafe on the edge of a cape and her customers. It is the first film produced by veteran actress Sayuri Yoshinaga, who also stars in the movie.
“I am delighted to know that the work, which underscores bonds between people, went down well like this in a foreign country,” Yoshinaga said during the festival’s award ceremony on Sept. 1. “I hope (the film) gives hopes to those in Japan who are undergoing hard times.”
Go Ayano plays the lead role in “The Light Shines Only There,” a love story involving a man dedicated to a woman who is struggling to support her family in northern Japan.
The film is currently playing in theaters in Tokyo, Hakodate and other cities.
“Cape Nostalgia” will be shown nationwide from Oct. 11.
The Light Shines Only There – Plot
Tatsuo Sato (Gou Ayano) quits his job and roams around aimlessly, trying to escape from his painful past. Tatsuo Sato then meets Takuji Oshiro (Masaki Suda) at a pachinko parlor. They strike up a friendship and Tatsuo goes with Takuji to his home. Takuji’s home is located along the beach, but the home is a rundown shack.
There, Takuji lives with his ill father, ambivalent mother and older sister Chinatsu (Chizuru Ikewaki). Tatsuo sees something special with Chinatsu. A light shines there despite the oppressive atmosphere that surrounds their situation.
Watch the official trailer: Here
Source: Asahi Shimbun
Image credit: Asahi Shimbun
