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Director’s Profile

Okuyama Hiroshi is a filmmaker born in Tokyo in 1996. His debut feature film, Jesus (2018), was awarded the Kutxabank - New Directors Award at San Sebastian International Film Festival 2018, Best Cinematography at both Stockholm International Film Festival 2018 and Dublin International Film Festival 2019, Best Upcoming Director at Tama Cinema Forum Film Awards 2019 and Special Mention at Macau International Movie Festival 2018. It was released theatrically in Japan, France, Spain, Korea, and Hong Kong. His short film, Tokyo 21st October (2018), was officially selected at Busan International Film Festival 2018. He directed Hermès documentary series Human Odyssey (2021) and most recently joined Netflix series The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House (2022) as a director, alongside Kore-eda Hirokazu and others.

Synopsis

Takuya is a boy with a slight stutter. One day, during ice hockey practice, he falls in love with Sakura, a girl figure skater. He tries to talk to her, but he can′t get the words out. Sakura apparently likes her coach, Arakawa. Takuya stares at Sakura and Arakawa skating together. Arakawa senses Takuya′s feelings, when he sees Takuya imitating Sakura′s steps. The next day, he lends Takuya his skates, who replies, “Th-th-th…thank you.” From that day on, Arakawa enthusiastically teaches Takuya to figure skate. Arakawa suddenly suggests to Sakura to try partnering with Takuya. Sakura is initially not keen on the idea. However, seeing how serious they are about an upcoming badge test, Sakura gradually comes round to the idea. The three of them go to a lake. On the frozen lake, Arakawa and Takuya skate and dance around jokingly. Sakura watches them with an unusual smile on her face. Then one day, Sakura spots Arakawa walking intimately with another man. She can′t stop staring at the scene from afar. On the day of the badge test, Sakura doesn′t show up. “I g-guess she really d-didn′t want to do it in the f-f-f-first place.” Depressed, Takuya returns his skates. The spring has come. As Takuya makes his way home from middle school, Arakawa′s car pulls up. They go to the lake again, but the ice has melted and it′s now just a regular lake. Arakawa leaves Takuya and continues driving. He boards a ferry and leaves the city.

Achievements

2024 Busan International Film Festival
2024 Cannes Film Festival - Un Certain Regard
2024 Sydney Film Festival
2024 Taipei Film Festival
2024 Melbourne International Film Festival

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