Coming-of-age dramas often focus on challenges that affect us all and how they can be overcome. But Yusuke Morii's “Amiko” focuses very much on a child that isn't like anyone else, and as such, those around her don't know how to deal with her, as a story of a unique life sees a unique comedy in a strong directorial debut.
Amiko (Kana Osawa) lives in a suburb of Hiroshima with her father (Arata Iura), pregnant mother (Machiko Ono) and older brother. They have what appears to be a very simple life of a young family, with a humble father, diligent mother and caring older brother for his eccentric and enthusiastic little sister. But tragic events strike, and the family all have their lives shaken up. All that is, apart from the naïve and bright-eyed Amiko.
While the rest of the family show clear signs of grief, Amiko is still...
Amiko (Kana Osawa) lives in a suburb of Hiroshima with her father (Arata Iura), pregnant mother (Machiko Ono) and older brother. They have what appears to be a very simple life of a young family, with a humble father, diligent mother and caring older brother for his eccentric and enthusiastic little sister. But tragic events strike, and the family all have their lives shaken up. All that is, apart from the naïve and bright-eyed Amiko.
While the rest of the family show clear signs of grief, Amiko is still...
- 3/9/2023
- by Andrew Thayne
- AsianMoviePulse
Yusuke Morii graduated from the Department of Film, now Nihon Institute of Cinema, and entered the industry as part of the production department of Shunichi Nagasaki’s The Witch of the West is Dead (2008). The screenwriter and filmmaker has also worked as an assistant director to Tatsushi Omori on the film Every Day a Good Day (2018). His directorial debut, Amiko (2022), is based on the novel Kochira Amiko by Natsuko Imamura and is selected for IFFR 2023.
On the occasion of his film screening at IFFR, we speak with him about the titular character, being a parent to such an unusual child, Kana Osawa, the reaction of the audience in Japan, and many other topics.
Amiko is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam
Why did you decide to adapt the particular novel by Natsuko Imamura?
I feel a lot of discomfort towards society and I wanted to express that particular feeling...
On the occasion of his film screening at IFFR, we speak with him about the titular character, being a parent to such an unusual child, Kana Osawa, the reaction of the audience in Japan, and many other topics.
Amiko is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam
Why did you decide to adapt the particular novel by Natsuko Imamura?
I feel a lot of discomfort towards society and I wanted to express that particular feeling...
- 2/2/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Yusuke Morii’s “Amiko” is a powerful film that tells the story of a young girl living in Hiroshima, Japan, who is struggling to cope with the grief and trauma within her family. The film’s titular character, Amiko, is played by the talented Kana Osawa, who delivers an outstanding performance throughout.
Amiko is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam
The film starts by introducing us to Amiko’s slightly awkward yet happy family, but quickly turns things around, after her mother suffers a miscarriage. The film then deals with the aftermath of this event, and the impact it has on everyone. By itself, this isn’t new, but viewing it through the lens of Amiko, a slightly quirky but honest young girl, gives it a different perspective worth exploring. Throughout the movie, she keeps on being herself, even though everyone around her is spiraling. It’s heartbreaking,...
Amiko is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam
The film starts by introducing us to Amiko’s slightly awkward yet happy family, but quickly turns things around, after her mother suffers a miscarriage. The film then deals with the aftermath of this event, and the impact it has on everyone. By itself, this isn’t new, but viewing it through the lens of Amiko, a slightly quirky but honest young girl, gives it a different perspective worth exploring. Throughout the movie, she keeps on being herself, even though everyone around her is spiraling. It’s heartbreaking,...
- 1/30/2023
- by Reinier Brands
- AsianMoviePulse
“We go where others do not go,” said a passionate Vanja Kaludjercic, of the mission to celebrate rising film-making countries.
At an emotional opening night event in a packed Doelen Grand Hall, Vanja Kaludjercic, festival director of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, expressed “her sense of relief and her gratitude” at being able finally to welcome guests “after a three-year wait”. She became festival director in 2020 but her first two editions at the helm, including the 50th anniversary, happened online.
These, she acknowledged, were “three years that actually changed the world as we knew [it]; three years that took a toll on all of us.
At an emotional opening night event in a packed Doelen Grand Hall, Vanja Kaludjercic, festival director of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, expressed “her sense of relief and her gratitude” at being able finally to welcome guests “after a three-year wait”. She became festival director in 2020 but her first two editions at the helm, including the 50th anniversary, happened online.
These, she acknowledged, were “three years that actually changed the world as we knew [it]; three years that took a toll on all of us.
- 1/26/2023
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
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