In This Corner of the World (Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni)
Special Screening
Sunao Katabuchi / Feature Narrative / Japan / 2016 / 129 min / Colour / DCP
In Japanese / Arabic, English subtitles
Interests: Animation, Drama, History
Qatar Premiere
Synopsis
The atomic bombings of Japan are among the great abominations of World War II, the legacy of which remain with us to this day. ‘In this Corner of the World’ is a gentle tale of life in and around Hiroshima during that terrible period. In the late 1930s, Suzu is an 18-year-old young woman who loves to draw. Upon her marriage, she moves to a village not too far from home and makes a new life with her husband’s family. The shadow of war, however, soon takes its toll on daily life.
For a time, the conflict seems exotic, almost exciting, with the presence of huge warships in the harbour, which Suzu often takes pleasure in sketching. Even food shortages inspire pleasure through a return to harvesting what the land provides, and rediscovering old recipes that had long been forgotten. But the Pacific War brings with it the unbearable tedium of increased air raids, only to be followed by the horror of unceasing firebombs and, of course, the unleashing of nuclear terror. ‘In this Corner of the World’ shows us, however, that life – and the hope that accompanies it – will always flourish.
About the Directors
Sunao Katabuchi majored in animation at Nihon University College of Art’s Cinema Department. After meeting Hayao Miyazaki, who was giving a guest lecture at the university, Katabuchi began working as a scriptwriter on Miyazaki’s films while still a student. He served as assistant director on 'Kiki’s Delivery Service' (1989), and made his directorial debut with the 1996 TV series 'Famous Dog Lassie'. In 2009, Katabuchi directed “Mai Mai Miracle”, an acclaimed animated film about a girl who lives in 1950s Hofu, Japan.
Credits
- Director
- Sunao Katabuchi
- Screenwriter
- Sunao Katabuchi
- Producer
- Masao Maruyama, Taro Maki
- Music
- Kotringo
- Sales Company
- Animatsu Entertainment
- Production Company
- Studio MAPPA, Genco, Inc
- Other
- Character Design & Animation Director: Hidenori Matsubara, Animation Producer: Masao Maruyama
- Assistant Director
- Chie Uratani
- Cast
- Non,Yoshimasa Hosoya, Minori Omi, Natsuki Inaba, Daisuke Ono, Megumi Han