On November 12th, at Hiroshima International Film Festival 2016, “That Summer’s Lion” directed by Wataru Tanaka premiered at NTT CRED Hall No.2 in Hiroshima city. After the showing, Wataru Tanaka, the director of the film and Tomoki Deyama, the producer had a little talk show.
The director wrote the scenario and also drew pictures by himself for this animation film.

This story was set in Hiroshima during wartime just a few days before the atomic bombing. This film focuses on the story of a girl who lost her father in the war and a young U.S. soldier who barely survived from the shooting by Japanese army in Hiroshima. Mr. Tanaka got an inspiration from the real story that there exists U.S. POW’s who became the victims of atomic bomb in Hiroshima during wartime.
In the talk session after the showing, the director and the producer talked about the background story of the film making.

When Mr. Tanaka was asked what made him create the film, he said, “I am pretty sure people could show their kindness and consideration for others even when they are in an extreme situation such as war. I have been seeking a theme for a movie. One day I heard the story that there were people who kindly treated 12 U.S. POW’s staying in Hiroshima when the atomic bombing occurred. I was impressed by the story and that drove me into making the film.” A lion is used as an impressive motif in the film. Mr.Tanaka talked about the reason why he chose it, saying “I decided to use a lion as a symbol of wild animals that never kill other animals without reasons unlike human beings.” The audience greatly applauded the director and she said “The film was very heartwarming and wonderful. I want a lot of children to watch it.”
With his saying, “This year, lots of great events happened in Hiroshima. I am very happy that this film was completed in this memorable year and premiered for people in Hiroshima,” he bowed deeply and the venue was filled with big applauses.