Failed pop star flees Tokyo, finds herself in rural Japan's quiet poetry.
Mio came to Tokyo with her sights on becoming a singer/songwriter, but that dream was dashed by a scandal without her ever becoming successful. She returns heartbroken to her hometown of Shimokawa where connecting with her parents, her former classmates, and the rich natural surroundings help her emotionally recover.
Acting
EMILY's raw, non-professional vulnerability carries every scene
Cinematography
Hokkaido snowscapes that breathe with emotional space
Writing
Shinagawa's understated dialogue, heavy with what goes unsaid
Director
Hiroshi Shinagawa
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Hiroshi Shinagawa is primarily known as a comedian and rapper; this marked his pivot to sincere drama.
Shimokawa is a real declining town in Hokkaido; the film was part of a regional revitalization project using cinema to attract young people back to rural Japan.
JP
