By MISUZU SATO/ Staff Writer
February 15, 2023 at 07:30 JST
A scene from “Suzume” ((c) 2022 “Suzume” Film Partners)
Anime director Makoto Shinkai’s first film in three years, “Suzume,” is among entries in the competition lineup for this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, organizers announced.
In total, 18 feature films will be vying for the top Golden Bear award.
The festival will be held Feb. 16-26, with actress Kristen Steward serving as president of the International Jury.
“Suzume” is the first Japanese animated film to compete at the prestigious festival in 21 years, following Hayao Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away,” which won the Golden Bear in 2002.
It is uncommon for a film presently showing in movie theaters to be included in competition, just like “Spirited Away.”
“Suzume” is a road movie centering around a girl who retains painful memories of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. She travels across the country looking for magical doors from which reddish black clouds emerge to cause earthquakes.
It was released nationwide in Japan in November.
“What underpins the story of ‘Suzume’ is a massive phenomenon that occurred in Japan 12 years ago,” the director said.
“I’m curious to see how this film will be received by overseas audiences, what it can convey, what it can’t, or what they can share from it. Or how our creations are seen from outside. I think I was given a great opportunity to see and hear about it with my own eyes and ears.”
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