APM - Asian Project Market

 

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Director’s Profile

Fukada Koji directed Hospitalité (2010), Au revoir l′été (2013), internationally renowned Sayônara (2015), and Harmonium (2016), which screened in the Un Certain Regard at Cannes Film Festival 2016 and won the Jury Prize. His film, The Man from the Sea (2018), was released all over the world, and in May 2018 he was awarded the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government. His next film, A Girl Missing (2019), screened at Toronto International Film Festival 2019, and although his latest film, The Real Thing (2020), is a reworking of his first drama series, which aired in 2019, it was chosen for Official Selection at Cannes Film Festival 2020.

Synopsis

Osawa Taeko lives a peaceful life with her husband, Jiro, with whom she remarried a year ago, and her 6-year-old son, Keita. One day, Keita dies in an accident during a party. Taeko, who is unable to recover from her sadness, feels a rift with her husband, who cannot share her feelings. At the funeral, Park Sangsoo, Keita′s real father, who had been missing, suddenly shows up. Park cries in front of Keita′s body, slaps Taeko across the cheek, and runs away. Jiro meets Park again at the city office where he works. Park is a street person and deaf. As an NPO staff member, Taeko tries to rehabilitate Park but fails due to various problems. With no place to go, Park comes to live with Taeko and Jiro. Jiro is jealous of Park and Taeko being together and tries to show Park his intimacy with Taeko. Meanwhile, Park suddenly decides to return to Korea. On the day of departure, Taeko leaves Jiro and boards Park’s ferry. The bus from Busan breaks down, so Taeko and Park get off and start walking. On the way to their destination they are picked up by a Korean lady in her car. When they arrive at their destination, Taeko realizes the purpose of Park’s return is to attend his son′s wedding. All the attendees begin to move into the wedding hall. Park also disappears into the ceremony hall. Taeko is left alone. She turns on her heels and begins to return the way she came.

Achievements

2022 Venice International Film Festival - In Competition
2022 Busan International Film Festival
2022 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival
2022 Nantes Three Continents Film Festival - In Competition
2023 Bengaluru International Film Festival - In Competition
Released in Italy, Japan, Taiwan, Netherlands, Hong Kong (China), France, Korea

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