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- Follow the Light
光を追いかけて Follow the Light
- 2021 / Drama, Sci-Fi / 104min G
- Available Worldwide (except Japan)
- English, Spanish (Latin America), Indonesian, Thai, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese
- Contains drinking scenes.
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Synopsis
"Light" shines upon the faces of the boys and girls whose hearts sway in their desolate hometown.
Director Profile
NARITA Yoichi
- CAST
- NAKAGAWA Tsubasa, NAGASAWA Itsuki
- DIRECTOR
- NARITA Yoichi
- SCREENPLAY
- NARITA Yoichi, SAKUDO Yu
- INTERNATIONAL SALES
- SOUL BOAT
- Cinema de Aeru
- ARISAKA Tamio, KUSHIGETA Kazunori, FUJITA Satoshi
Akita, a beautiful countryside in Tohoku, Japan, glimmers with golden hues during the autumn harvest season. However, the region faces the challenge of a declining population, leading people to leave areas where sustainable living is no longer possible. Consequently, the once vibrant shopping district is now deserted, and the community’s central hub, the school, has been forced to close. The struggle of adults unable to find a solution casts a dark shadow on the sensitive hearts of children, creating a chain of unease that takes the story in unexpected directions.
In rural areas of the Tohoku region, despite their traditional, high-quality agriculture, rich history, and culture, their strength wanes in modern society. The breakdown of long-standing relationships among people who have cared for and supported each other deepens the feeling of hopelessness that seems to engulf everyone.
The film revolves around a School Closing Festival, with the tagline “Don’t hope for the light. Be the light.” It skillfully portrays the stark contrast between beauty and loneliness, even in areas that have reached the “limit” of their future. This expression is a testament to director NARITA Yoichi’s affection for his hometown of Akita. The performances of young boys and girls, the breathtaking rural landscapes, the mysterious development, and the finale create an engaging experience. Please enjoy it.
- NARITA Yoichi
- Director
I’ve been working as a commercial director for years, but I’ve also been striving to achieve my childhood dream to work as a film director. However, when I was struggling with a lack of ideas, I heard a story about a UFO experience from my uncle. He told me about seeing the “green light” flying in zigzags when he was a firefighter, and the next day he discovered a mystery circle in his own field. I thought that was it. By basing the story on a true event, it adds authenticity to the plot.
At first, I was considering a sci-fi entertainment, but due to the sense of deja vu and the mismatch in terms of budget, I decided to change the script to the serious drama that I originally wanted to create.
“Don’t hope for the light. Be the light.” This tagline encapsulates the essence of the entire film. It’s about not just waiting for light, but actively pursuing it, embracing it, and becoming a source of light for oneself, illuminating not only oneself but also those around you.
I’m not particularly fond of happy endings. I intend to aim for endings that hold a subtle sense of the future and great potential in my upcoming films as well.
Comments
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So gentle, so powerful and still unique in a very Japanese way. I love this. The more you watch, the more you want to understand Japanese rural society.
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A fresh, wonderful, moving film, with great cinematography, audio, and great performances, especially from the young cast. The relationships between them, and between the actors and their environment, was moving. A wonderful film indeed.
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Mesmerising visuals with great writing! Beautiful film, especially loved the poetic manner in which the various shots were stringed together. The actors really touched my heart. In particular, the classroom scene towards the end was a masterpiece – with every character giving a brilliant performance.
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Your film brings many to the realization of what is happening to our rural communities- what will bring us back home? The beauty and strength of the people who produce substance for the rest of us.
How can we bring back our communities 💙 well captured in your story. Thank you
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สนุกมากครับ มุมกล้อง แสง landscape สวยมากๆๆๆๆ
10 / 10 เลยครับ -
I love this film. The fleshed-out characters, cinematography, and soundtracks. I’m so glad I took some time to watch this. Thank you JFF for letting me watch this beautiful film for free.
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Filme muito sensível, para pensar as prioridades pessoais, gostei bastante e deveria colocar para exibição no circuito dos cinemas alternativos nos diversos países a que se propóe, é difícil dimensionar o gosto popular acredito que fariam bastante sucesso inclusive para o comércio destes filmes. Eu gostaria de comprar uma cópia de diversos filmes reflexivos, destes seriados anuais.
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It’s a good film! The story, the actor actress, the scenery of Akita city makes me feel blessed to watch this movie. Arigatou, JF!
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Es sin duda una película que explora el amplio espectro de la juventud, desde la vulnerabilidad, la crueldad, la inestabilidad, y el dolor; pero también toca el compañerismo, la amistad, el perdón, la aceptación y la esperanza en el porvenir. Me encantó, se siente muy cercana y los personajes muy reales.
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Bueno, bueno, bueno, lo que esta película me hizo sentir, merece el rótulo de ‘Internacional’, debería estar promocionada en muchos lugares! La disfruté de principio a fin, aunque me queda un poco de sinsabor al final, pero la canción lo soluciona todo. De mis favoritas!
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Absolutely stunning cinematography and inspiring story line. The piano backing track was a bit overpowering on my Sony tv and the long, dramatic pauses in the acting in certain scenes gave it a manga-like feel. I want to visit Akita now.
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I really enjoyed the movie , the beautiful scenery, music and the acting in the film ,
felt refreshed -
The soundtrack and cinematography beginning at 1:27:00 to 1:29:00 is among the best I have ever seen. Absolutely perfect in my opinion. A very beautiful movie.
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Done watching.
I do love this drama 😊
What a beautiful place in Japan, Akita 😱.
Thank you JFF for this drama 😊❤ -
Por momentos recuerda a “All About Lily Chu Chou” pero con una perspectiva menos fatalista sin dejar de lado un aspecto social interesante : El cambio de vidas que se produce a partir de un fin de cursos.En esta cinta, el fin de curso implica también el final de un momento en la vida.
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A wonderful movie. Great cinematography, actors, and a story full of love, longing, social issues. A drama definitely not to miss!
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film yang sangat bagus, menggambarkan perjuangan, belajar memahami diri sendiri, menerima diri, dan kasih sayang ketulusan. i love you, Maki. Akira.
rate: 4.5/5 -
loved the movie! loved how it potrays one’s hometown is where we truly belong.
thank you JFF for the FREE movie screenings!
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INteresnte hermosos paisajes, cada vez mas entiendo y comprendo los tiempos y los silencios del cine japones, como dejan entreveer una y otra historia, con personajes y actuaciones que a mi parecer lo hacen bien. me encanto los paisajes. y logre ver lo duro y ardua tarea que llevan las personas de los pueblos, la filosofia de aunque todo este perdido, siempre tomarlo de la mejor manera. me gusto y la musica final con todo ese paisaje me encanto
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Everytime i am in Japan and visit the countryside i encounter such contrast between the beautiful environment and the people struggle to earn a living there. So i could really “feel” this film.
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A moving and intriguing film which also touches on some important social issues.
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La idea de la película está bien, pero el desarrollo es bastante desparejo. Me ha parecido un poco un cuento rosa con final feliz. El final se alarga sin sentido, mostrando a todos los personajes volviéndose buenos y tolerantes. Un poco infantil a mi parecer.
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es un homenaje a una vida en contacto con la naturaleza que se va perdiendo. SIN EMBARGO VOLVER A EMPEZAR ES POSIBLE.ES UNA PELÍCULA DE APARIENCIA SENCILLA PERO MUY PROFUNDA. MUCHAS GRACIAS AJFF
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Watching the movie I’ve learned what happen in rural area of Japan. Unfortunately It happend all over the industrial countries. But the movie show us there is always a way yout.
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I really enjoyed watching this film! They could have made the ending a bit better, but the film is really good.
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Loved this film! Thanks for showing us what Akita is like and for caring about agriculture.
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Beautiful drama. I am honoured that I had the chance to watch it. Thank you!
This was perhaps my favourite film of the 5 I’ve watched from this festival. I was skeptical about the UFO storyline but the way it was integrated into a touching and very real story of change in rural Japan worked well. The acting was excellent and the ending beautiful. I stayed watching Akira cycling through the countryside soaking up the lovely singing that accompanied it. I’d always heard of Akita but never had the chance to visit. The film shows its great beauty while unflinchingly showing the hardships of its people in the midst of depopulation.