On Thursday, November 23, 2023 from 14:00, “The Heart of Hiroshima” (1966) was screened at the Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library.

The setting is Hiroshima 21 years after the war. A pure love story between Yukio (WATARI Tetsuya), a printing company employee who suffers from the atomic bomb disease, and Kazue (YOSHINAGA Sayuri), a clerk at a musical instrument store. The script was written by OHASHI Kiichi and KOBAYASHI Yoshio. The director is KURAHARA Koreyoshi, known for “Longing for Love” and “ANTARCTICA”. Director KURAHARA experienced the atomic bombing when he was 19 years old in Kure. It is said that this memory is connected to “The Heart of Hiroshima”. Filming took place in Hiroshima, and the film depicts the nostalgic scenery of Hiroshima in the Showa era and the lively people who lived in this town. The eyes of the Hiroshima residents at the venue lit up when a familiar scene appeared on the screen. After the screening, a talk show was held with director KURAHARA's eldest daughter, UMEZAWA Ayako, as a guest. The moderator was SATO Takeshi of the Hiroshima City Cinematographic and Audio-Visual Library, and the listener was HEYA Kyoko, President of Hiroshima International Film Festival.

In the talk show, Ms. UMEZAWA talked about her memories with her father, director KURAHARA. When Ms. UMEZAWA entered right after high school, was looking for a book to write a book review about, Director KURAHARA recommended HARA Tamiki's “Summer Flowers”, a book about his experiences with the atomic bomb, and when she wrote a review of the book and showed it to him, he was forced to read it over and over again. This episode also shows director KURAHARA's sincere approach to dealing with the atomic bomb.

Regarding “The Heart of Hiroshima”, we were able to hear a valuable story about how he had a special feeling that was different from other movies. Apparently, the script for “The Heart of Hiroshima” was carefully stored, even reinforced with tapes. "I've never seen it in any other film, only for “The Heart of Hiroshima,” Ms. UMEZAWA said. She explained the script was reinforced by the tapes. Regarding the filming scene inside the Atomic Bomb Dome, which symbolizes this movie, “It was the best reward for me.” director KURAHARA said. His film was screened at the Hiroshima International Film Festival held in Hiroshima, where director KURAHASHI has his roots. “I think (director KURAHASHI) is happy over there (heaven).'' Ms.Umezawa said with a smile.