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About the Film
Ayumi Sakamoto learned her film-making craft apprenticing on the sets of famed
director Shinya Tsukamoto, going on to serve as a lighting technician on several
films. After gaining directing experience on music videos, documentaries and
installations, Sakamoto worked over a long period to realize her debut feature
FORMA. The startlingly assured, slow-burning drama won the Japanese Cinema
Splash Best Picture Award at the 26th Tokyo International Film Festival.
Synopsis
In a chance meeting on the streets of Tokyo, Ayako Kaneshiro (Nagisa Umeno) is
reunited with her high school classmate Yukari Hosaka (Emiko Matsuoka). Ayako
generously offers Yukari an office job at her company. However, Ayako soon grows
critical and cold toward her former friend. Yukari feels increasingly pressured, but
Ayako has her reasons. Ayako's bitterness deepens, putting a strain on the
relationship with her workaholic single father (Ken Mitsuishi). Unable to bear it any
longer, Ayako confronts Yukari and their pent-up emotions explode. What lies at the
end of this cycle of hatred?
“Yukari Hosaka”
“Osamu Nagata”
“Ayako Kaneshiro”
“Toshitaka Kaneshiro”
Emiko Matsuoka
Seiji Nozoe
Nagisa Umeno
Ken Mitsuishi
Crew
Executive Producer : Fumiyuki Yanaka
Screenplay : Ryo Nishihara
Cinematographer : Shinya Yamada
Editor : Ayumi Sakamoto, Ryosuke Tsukiji
Sound Director : Masaru Takahashi
DIT / Colorist : Satoshi Igarashi
Gaffer : Katsuyuki Takemoto
Casting Director : Sota(Gerant)
Assistant Director : Akitoshi Yamada
Production Manager : Masamitsu Wakimoto
Subtitles : Robert Baldwin
Production : kukuru inc.
Ayumi Sakamoto Profile
Born on Feb. 16th, 1981 in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan.
After graduating from high school, Ayumi Sakamoto moved
to Tokyo and started learning her film-making craft
apprenticing on the sets of internationally famed director
Shinya Tsukamoto (Tetsuo the Iron Man, Nightmare
Detective, Kotoko). She went on to serve as a lighting
technician on several feature films. After gaining directing experience on music
videos for major artists such as Miyavi and Sony Music's May. J, Sakamoto realized
her debut feature FORMA. The startlingly assured, slow-burning drama won the
Japan Cinema Splash Best Picture Award at the 26th Tokyo International Film
Festival and has been invited to screen as an international premiere in the Berlin
International Film Festival's Forum program. FORMA is also set to screen at the
Hong Kong International Film Festival and other events in Europe and America
after its Berlin engagement.
Director's Statement
“I wanted to depict human nature and the darkness inside of people. Making the
film was also a long, sometimes painful journey of self- discovery. If it weren't for
FORMA I feel I may not be here now. I'd like to express thanks for all the support I
received throughout. FORMA's selection in the Berlin International Film Festival has
cemented my belief that devoting everything to cinema was the right choice, and I
aim to continue making films.”
Awards
FIPRESCI Prize
(Berlin International Film Festival 2014)
Japanese Cinema Splash Best Picture Award
(Tokyo International Film Festival 2013)
Festival Screenings
Hong Kong International Film Festival 2014
Berlin International Film Festival 2014
Tokyo International Film Festival 2013
Inquiries:
Press Attaché for International Media
Eiko Mizuno Gray (Loaded Films Ltd.)
+81-90-9829-7501
eikomg@loadedfilms.jp http://www.loadedfilms.jp
World Sales
Free Stone Productions - Miyuki Takamatsu
miyuki.takamatsu@freestone.jp
http://freestone.main.jp/