Berlin International Film Festival in Germany, one of the three major film festivals in the world, will announce the results of the judging such as the "Golden Bear Award", which is the highest award, on the 25th.
Makoto Shinkai's animated film "Suzume no Toshimari" was nominated for the "Golden Bear Award" competition category, and the results are worthy of attention.
"Suzume no Tojimemari" is a road movie about Suzume, a high school girl who experienced the disaster when she was young, traveling around Japan to close the "door" that caused the disaster.
On the 23rd, Director Shinkai met with the actor Hara Noka who voiced Suzume in Berlin and said, "I'm not confident that we can win the Golden Bear Award, but everyone knows that we came to this place this time. The Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred in Japan 12 years ago still remains in the hearts of the Japanese people, and I think it will be a valuable opportunity for them to know that the heart and the land have not yet been restored."
On the 23rd, it was screened for the first time at the film festival, and Shinkai and others responded to the commemorative photo with the fans on the red carpet.
It is the first time in 21 years since Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away", which won the Golden Bear Award in 2002, that a Japanese animated film has been nominated in the competition section at the Berlin International Film Festival.
The results of the judging will be announced on the evening of the 25th, early in the morning of the 26th in Japan time, and attention will be paid to the outcome of each award.
Interview with director Makoto Shinkai Why he drew the Great East Japan Earthquake
Director Makoto Shinkai "Great East Japan Earthquake I want everyone to know"
Director Makoto Shinkai greeted the audience on the stage after the screening of "Suzume no Tojimemari" at the Berlin International Film Festival on the 23rd.
In this, Director Shinkai said, ``This story is based on the great earthquake that occurred in Japan 12 years ago, the Great East Japan Earthquake. I came here today because I wanted everyone to know a little bit about me while enjoying myself while laughing through an entertainment movie.”
He then expressed his gratitude to the audience, saying, ``No matter how big the disaster, people grow up laughing. A lot of applause was sent from the venue.
Audience: “It was a very good movie.”
Audiences who saw the film said, "It was a sad story based on the Great East Japan Earthquake, but it was very good. I would be happy if this movie was selected for the Golden Bear Award. I don't think there is a director more deserving of the award than him." I saw the movie for the first time, and the story of Suzume growing from an anxious girl to a strong superhero is wonderful. It was a very good movie."