Japanese Film Competition (Feature Length)
Winter Stuff
- Onsite
- 7.16 (Tue) 13:30 Convention Hall
- 7.20 (Sat) 10:30 Audio Visual Hall
- Online
- 7.20 (Sat) 10:00 - 7.24 (Wed) 23:00
Director: Yuki ITO
Cast: Keisuke ISHIKAWA, Shutaro NAKANO, Azumi RYO
2024 / Japan / 74min.
A rural town in Nagano. Close friends Ken and Akira have always done everything together. Ken works hard on the farm and Akira in printing, surrounded by magnificent mountains. With the death of Ken’s grandfather, the pair begin to realize they see things differently. Ken immerses himself deeper and deeper in photography after getting started with his grandfather’s old camera. Akira is puzzled, but supportive. The two start to walk down their own respective paths. Winter Stuff is a sensitive depiction of the frustration and separation of two young men living in modern society, striking a contrast between the grandeur of nature and the suffocating daily urban grind. It is the directorial debut of Yuki Ito, who moved to Tokyo to pursue acting and then taught himself screenwriting in the hopes of making his own films. The director’s portrayal of Ken and Akira never loses its gentle focus on the pair, even when presenting the harsh realities they face. Winter Stuff will have its world premiere at the festival.
Director: Yuki ITO
Profoundly affected by the writing of Kirin Kiki while a senior in high school, he moved to Tokyo to pursue acting. Working in films led him to want to make his own, so he taught himself screenplay writing. This is his first film of any length, starting from which he intends to continue to grow as a filmmaker.
Message
I’ve created a story about the kind of small yet precious existence that tends to fly below the radar. I think it features the dangers and kindnesses that can appear in anyone’s life. It was a challenge for us to shoot the film with our limited small budget and crew. We would be thrilled if it makes you stop and think about the people close to you.
