Roadshow 25th May, 2024
around the world
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I had the pleasure to follow NINOMIYA Ryutaro career.
With his bold depiction of the youth, Wakamusha confirms Ninomiya's talent and his will to follow his own voice, which sounds a unique call in the contemporary Japanese cinema.
Carlo Chatrian
The former Artistic director of the Berlin International Film Festival
The latest film directed by Ryutaro Ninomiya, which was officially selected for the Cannes Film Festival alongside directors Takeshi Kitano and Hirokazu Koreeda.
Ryutaro Ninomiya, His previous film “Dreaming in Between” was selected by the 76th Cannes International Film Festival in 2023 alongside “KUBI” directed by Takeshi Kitano, and “Monster” directed by Hiroyasu Koreeda.
At the Cannes Film Festival, a full-house audience applauded enthusiastically. The latest film directed and scripted by the highly anticipated Ryutaro Ninomiya, titled "Wakamusha," is eagerly awaited worldwide.
Shedding light on the human being’s way of life with the original point of view
Director Ryutaro Ninomiya consistently depicts universal daily life with vivid realism.
This film leverages its realism as a weapon, portraying new territories through a unique language exchange and unpredictable developments. In this film, director Ninomiya depicts three childhood friends. Wataru, while expressionless, harbors deep hatred towards his stepfather. Eiji, working at a pub, tends to find pleasure in others’ negative emotions. Mitsunori, earnestly working as a caregiver, gazes at his surroundings with dull eyes.
They frequently use the phrase “humans of this world” in their conversations, as if they were being from another realm. However, in reality, they deeply contemplate their inclusion and influence within “this world”, fearing their impact while being impacted themselves.
Story
Wataru (Ryota Bando), a quiet worker at a factory, Eiji (Rion Takahashi), a hot-blooded employee at a restaurant, and Mitsunori (Naoya Shimizu), seemingly gentle a caregiver, are childhood friends.
“Unhappiness becomes drama, you know.”
One late afternoon in late autumn, the three of them walk towards a graveyard overlooked by a headless Jizo statue.
There lies the fourth childhood friend who passed away in an accident several years ago.
“Hatred, fear, anger, sadness. If we could turn all of those dramas into ‘enjoyment’ and live, don’t you think that would be the best life?”
“It’s a revolution. Let’s start a revolution.”
And so, they go on a rampage under the guise of “social reform” confronting minor infractions and discrimination in the town recklessly.
Gradually, their “social reform” transforms into “violence.”
This is the story of young people resisting the future while questioning life amidst their nowhere to turn to in daily lives.
Cast
Director
The young people in this film may initially appear to engage
in childish conversations.
However, they earnestly contemplate how to revolutionize
their own lives, as well as the lives of others and the whole world.
We have created a unique film with a wonderful cast and staff.
We would be delighted if you could watch the film.
Written & Directed by
Ryutaro Ninomiya
Profile
Born on August 18, 1986, in Kanagawa Prefecture.
In 2012, his first feature film "The Charm of Others" won an award at the 34th Pia Film Festival. His second feature film, "Sweating the Small Stuff," in which he also starred, was the only Japanese film selected for the feature film category at the 70th Locarno International Film Festival. His other works as a director include “Minori, on the Brink” which was released in 2019. And his fourth feature film, "Dreaming In Between" was officially selected by The 76th Cannes Film Festival as ACID Cannes 2023. Not only as a film director, Ninomiya has been also active as an actor and starred in “Mountain Woman” (directed by Takeshi Fukunaga, 2023), “LOVE LIFE” (directed by Koji Fukada, 2022), “A Family” (directed by Michihito Fujii, 2021), those his appearance left strong impressions.
Staff
Executive Producer:
Tenshin Tsutsumi, Tomohiko Seki
Producer: Tokushi Suzuki
Director of Photography: Hiroshi Iwanaga
Sound Design: Izumi Matsumo
Production Designer: Naoka Fukushima
Costume Designer: Yoshie Ogasawara
Hair & Make-up Artist: Kayo Kawamoto
Editor: Banri Nagase
Music: Imai
Chief Assistant Director: Wataru Hiranami
Production Managers: Soya Okawa Kei Iguchi
Promotion: Tomoko Kato
Graphic design: Yurie Hata
Still Photographer: Sho Ito
Making Director: Shigeru Yoshida
English Subtitles: Don Brown
Trailer: Aya Kawazoe
Associate Planner Mizue Kunizane
Investment Company:
cogitoworks Ltd. U-NEXT
Local Streaming Service: U-NEXT
Production & Distribution: cogitoworks Ltd.
Presented by: New Counter Films
Theater
Trailer
