hikikomori

Details

 

STORY

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　During a challenging period in his life, the protagonist seeks solace by withdrawing and finding comfort beneath the eaves of his home. With unwavering patience, he waits for the rain in his heart to subside, yearning for that fleeting moment of calm that would allow him to reenter the outside world. Reflecting on this time, he dubs it a ""standstill"" - a state of stillness amidst adversity.
　Tatsuo, who has been grappling with emotional reclusiveness for the past 20 years since the age of 27, finds himself haunted by a traumatic event from his past work experience. Emotions surge within him as he returns to the very location that holds the memories of that time, prompting profound introspection and introspection.
　Meanwhile, Tae, affectionately known as Gacchan, has faced her own bouts of social isolation. For nearly four years during her adolescence, starting at the age of twelve, and then again for thirteen years from the age of twenty-seven, she found herself disconnected from society. As Tae retraces her steps, she delves into the recollections of the home she resided in at the pivotal age of twenty, a time when she made the life-altering decision to enroll in junior high school at night.
　Fate intertwined the paths of these two individuals, guiding them to build a life together in Hiroshima while offering unwavering support and reliance on one another. As they aspired to achieve self-sufficiency and secure employment, their life stories unfolded in a unique way, manifesting as ""resumes"" etched with years of struggle and unwavering perseverance, epitomized by the vacant spaces within them. Through this poignant documentary, we embark on a journey alongside these reclusive souls, traversing the depths of their personal voids, and uncovering the profound narratives that reside within.

CAST

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Tatsuo
Tae(Gacchan)

STAFF

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Director: Naomi Island
Cinematography: TATSUTOMI Kohei (JIJI)
Lighting: HASHIMOTO Kensuke
Music: OKUNO Masatoshi
Special Thanks: SHIBUYA Aki, Moeka
Producer: ISLAND Naomi

Info

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Year of production: 2023
Country: Japan
Running time: 27min
Language: Japanese

Director

Naomi Island, a mass media worker and the president of Island Life LLC, was born in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture and raised in Fukuyama City. In 1994, she embarked on her career as an announcer and reporter at a TV station in Kagoshima Prefecture. It was during this time that exploring various islands became her life's mission. She passionately reported on the nature, culture, and traditions of Yakushima, Amami Oshima, and other islands through television, newspapers, and radio.
Relocating to Tokyo, Naomi worked as a freelancer. After working as a member of "Kita-ku TSUKA Kohei Theater Company", she belonged to "HORIPRO" and appeared on stage, TV dramas and commercials. Returned to Hiroshima in 2007, and published "Setouchi and Hiroshima: The Shape of a Reborn Journey" under the pen name Naomi Island from Amazon kindle. This her first independent film marks a significant milestone in her career.