Japan’s recent sleeper hit and highly-acclaimed movie “In this Corner of the World” will finally open in Philippine cinemas on June 28.
In producing the film, director Sunao Katabuchi with the rest of the team turned to crowdfunding and in no time was able to start production on the film from the help of the fans and public who strongly supported the film. From the initial 63 theaters in Japan, “In this Corner of the World” eventually played in 195 screens and has so far reached more than US$ 19 million in box-office receipts in Japan alone.
A coming-of-age story, “In this Corner of the World” is based on the original Manga by Fumiyo Kōno set during World War II where a young bride named Suzu Urano moves to a new town to live with her new family in Kure. All starts well after her marriage but the war against the US brings dark clouds that would soon cover Suzu’s corner of the world. After marrying Shuusaku Houjou a young clerk who works at the local naval base, Suzu becomes essential to the running of the household and creatively prepares meals during the tough wartime conditions while also carrying out daily housework. In 1945, intense bombings by the U.S. military finally reach Kure with devastating effect to the townsfolk and their way of life. Suzu’s life is changed irrevocably, but through perseverance and courage, she manages to continue to live life to the fullest.
The movie has also amassed a slate of high-profile local awards including the 40th Japan Academy Award for Best Animation Award, the 90th Kinema Junpo Best Ten Japan Film Best 1 and Director Award, 71st Mainichi Film Concurs Japanese Movie Excellence Award and Ofuji Nobushiro Prize, 59th Blue Ribbon Award Director Award, Hiroshima Peace Film Award during the 3rd Hiroshima International Film Festival, and the Best Film during the 38th Yokohama Film Festival. It has also been selected to premiere at the LA Film Festival.
Variety‘s Maggie Lee said in her review, “Dwelling more on culinary feats with food rations than on the unutterable horror of the atomic bomb, Japanese period anime ‘In This Corner of the World‘ is a wistfully nostalgic time capsule of civilian life under the catastrophic tide of war.”
A deeply moving story, “In this Corner of the World” is presented by Rafaella Films and distributed by Axinite Digicinema.