This lyrical poem intertwines the four stages of Japanese sparklers (bud, peony, pine needle, and scattering chrysanthemum), the four seasons of Japan, and the lives of men and women.  【Human Drama × Documentary × Art】 This unique film artistically depicts the profound world and views on life and death, incorporating experimental elements. It took 11 years to plan and produce, with filming taking place over 5 years and 3 months in 34 locations nationwide. The film was made possible with the full cooperation of Ryota Tsutsui, the third-generation owner of Tsutsui Tokimasa Toy Fireworks Manufacturing, the only manufacturer of domestically produced sparklers in Japan, located in Miyama City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Starring actress Kaori Tsubaki, who has appeared in over 200 films, and actor Koji Yuki, who is active in both Japan and Korea. The younger years are played by newcomer models Makoto Ide and Yuya Fujisawa, the childhood years by models Koharu and Sora, and the elderly years by Rucazyy. Except for the lead actors, everyone else is making their film debut and acting for the first time. Veteran actors such as Yoshitaka Funamoto, Shinichiro Osawa, and Yukichi Tono also appear in supporting roles. The film explores the true meaning and emotions embedded in domestically produced sparklers, representing the spring, summer, autumn, and winter of life.
Currently, the film has won 17 awards at domestic and international film festivals (in 9 countries: Japan, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, India, and Thailand). It will have a theatrical release (single-screen showing) at Morc Asagaya from November 1st to November 7th, 2024. <Domestic>
◆ 33rd Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival 2023
Grand Prix Winner in the Fantastic Yubari Competition Section ☆World Premiere
◆ 15th Japan Film Grand Prix 2023, Spider's Thread Award Winner
◆ 19th Yamagata International Movie Festival 2023, Officially Invited
◆ 15th Japan Film Grand Prix Commemorative Screening 2024 (Tokyo/Kobe screenings)
<International>
◆ Germany / 25th Hamburg Japanese Film Festival 2024
Best Independent Film Award (Jury Prize) Winner ☆International Premiere
◆ India / 2nd India Independent Film Festival 2024 (August-September)
Special Jury Award (Best Foreign Language Feature Film Award) Winner
◆ France / Cine Paris Film Festival 2024 (August) Best Feature Film Award Winner
◆ Portugal / Portugal Indies Film Festival 2024 (August) Best First Feature Director Award Winner
◆ Sweden / Swedish Film Awards 2024 (August) Best First Feature Film Award Winner
◆ Sweden / 6th Luleå International Film Festival 2024 (August)
Best Feature Film Award, Best Feature Director Award, Best Leading Actress Award (Feature Film) Winner
◆ Thailand / Bangkok Film Awards 2024 (August) Bangkok Film Critics Association Award Winner
◆ Sweden / 4th Stockholm City Film Festival 2024 (August) Semi-finalist
◆ Italy / Rome International Film Awards 2024 (September) Best Feature Film Award, Best Duo Award Winner
◆ Canada / 17th Montreal Independent Film Festival 2024 Nominee
◆ USA / 25th New York Independent Cinema Awards 2024 Nominee
◆ USA / Hollywood Best Indies Film Awards 2024 Selected for screening
◆Spain/5th Costa Brava Film Festival 2024: Winner of the Best Independent Feature Film Award
◆Spain/Madrid International Film Awards 2024 (December): Winner of Best Feature Film, Best Duo Award, and Best Original Score Award
◆Italy/2nd Post Cinema Film Festival 2025: Selected for screening