Special Screening
YURIE
- Onsite
- 7.19 (Sat) 17:50 Audio Visual Hall
©２０２５ 埼玉県／SKIPシティ彩の国ビジュアルプラザ
Director: Minami IKEMOTO
Cast: Sho AOYAGI, HA Yeonsoo, Yugo MIKAWA, Izumi NISHIMURA, DONG Nhat Quynh,
Daikichi SUGAWARA
2025 / Japan / 80min.
Three years have passed since Joji Uehara lost his father and took over his eatery “Yurie”. Despite Joji’s impressive culinary skills, his business continues to dwindle. One day, Kim Joo-ri, who came from South Korea to learn Japanese cuisine, arrives at the restaurant by coincidence. Although they clash over their differing values, the two of them gradually become closer as they work together to revive the struggling business. Guided by Kim’s charmingly unconventional approach to life, the people around her begin to break free from their rigid minds.
Director Minami Ikemoto, whose works feature a distinctive cinematic style, won Best Picture (Japanese Short Length category) at SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-Cinema FESTIVAL in 2023. This film is his first feature length work, and stars Sho Aoyagi of Gekidan EXILE, a multi-award-winning actor known for his roles in various films and dramas. Co-starring is Japan-based South Korean actress and model Ha Yeonsoo, who recently gained notable attention for her role in the NHK drama series “The Tiger and Her Wings.”
Director: Minami IKEMOTO
Born in 1995 in Shiga Prefecture, Minami Ikemoto
graduated with a degree in film from the Osaka University of Arts. BAT TRIP (18), Ikemoto’s final work as a student, was screened at several festivals in Japan including Kanazawa Film Festival 2023. While working on behind-the-scenes filming and video editing projects, his short film Hunting Results (23) won Best Picture (Japanese Short Length category) at the 2023 SKIP CITY INTERNATIONAL D-Cinema FESTIVAL. This film is his debut feature length work.
Message
I struggled with the challenges of filmmaking, and there were times this affected the people around me. Even still, I felt supported by friends and colleagues who share the same love for cinema. These days, simply loving films isn’t always enough to make a living, but holding onto that love remains important to me.
Perhaps as a reward for staying true to that feeling, I was fortunately given the opportunity to create this film. “Let’s make something fun, shall we?” I said, putting on a cool face, though in truth, I was hesitant. But before I knew it, I had thrown myself into the project. During shoots, I became so absorbed that I even forgot to call out “cut” at times.
There were moments I felt certain that this film would move someone’s heart, and this filled me with so much excitement, any embarrassment I felt about shouting out “Ready, action!” dissolved away. I knew then that I was truly glad to have made this film.
It’s a film filled with captivating moments. Like magic, it will whisk you away from your everyday life. I hope that the film becomes a great wave, carrying itself to many people far and wide.
