International Competition
Happy life
- Onsite
- 7.14 (Sun) 17:30 Audio Visual Hall
- 7.17 (Wed) 10:30 Convention Hall
- Online
- 7.20 (Sat) 10:00 - 7.24 (Wed) 23:00
©belly roll film
Director: Yoshihiko TANIGUCHI
Cast: Chiyuri NISHIGUCHI, Sankichi KAWAMOTO, Ayako WATANABE, Mio MOURI, Yuwa ISHIBASHI, Daiki TAKEUCHI, Iroha NAKATA
2024 / Japan / 91min.
Junior high school student Kiki belongs to a family of five, with her father Kensuke, mother Mayumi, younger brother Ryo, and younger sister Anna. After moving from their former apartment to a housing complex, they had been happy for a time, with Kiki and her mother filling the balcony with flowers. But they lose the emotional bedrock of their family when their mother suddenly dies, changing everything. Their father falls into despair and loses his job. Kiki tries to prop up the family finances by taking part-time work arranged by a close friend’s older brother while she still takes care of her young siblings, but it is a struggle to make ends meet. One day, Kiki witnesses a strange scene involving her former homeroom teacher, Ms. Kozuma. With the teacher’s help, Kiki tries to turn her life around. The children are trying to live life to the fullest, despite tough circumstances. The passionate and confident performances of the young actors are a true highlight of the film. Director Yoshihiko Taniguchi worked as a producer on F is for Future (20), Cornflakes (20), The Melancholy of Nagi (22), and Night Drifting (23), all directed by Teppei Isobe, whose films often show at this film festival. Happy life is Taniguchi’s second feature-length film, and will have its world premiere at the festival.
Director: Yoshihiko TANIGUCHI
Directed several short films while at Osaka Visual Arts Academy’s Broadcasting and Film Department. Since graduation, Taniguchi has worked freelance as an acting instructor, on film production workshops, and directing corporate videos and commercials, while building up experience on film shoots. He expanded into production with the establishment of his company belly roll film in 2019.
Message
I shot this film primarily with children from the acting classes I teach. I have been truly impressed with how these children, who still have very little acting experience, matured during filming. It was as if the magnificent performances they gave on set were resonating with the story of the film’s protagonists, bravely fighting on despite the harsh reality of their lives. I believe this film will convey to you the brilliance of their acting.
