THE GIFT OF FIRE

Screening Schedule

Nov 19 (Fri.) 10:30 at NTT CRED Hall 1

See Time Table

Details

Ⓒ2021 ELEVEN ARTS STUDIOS / 「太陽の⼦」フィルムパートナーズ

＜Story＞
　In September 1945, a team of budding scientists at Kyoto Imperial University signs up for the biggest challenge of their young lives: at the behest of the Japanese Navy, they are to develop “a new type of bomb that will turn the tide of war” — that is, the world’s first nuclear bomb. Under the guidance of Professor ARAKATSU (KUNIMURA), who assures them that their work will determine the fate of the war as well as the world, the young men conduct one attempt after another to split the atom, in an increasingly desperate rush against time.

　ISHIMURA Shu (YAGIRA) is particularly obsessed with the experiments, struggling to honor his obligations to science and country, as well as to his family. His younger brother, Hiroyuki (MIURA, in his final role), is heading to the front lines and his childhood sweetheart Setsu (ARIMURA) is now orphaned and living with the Ishimura family with her grandfather. She exhorts the brothers to look toward the postwar future, but the daily news reports are less than encouraging, underscoring the import of Shu’s work.

　Amid one of the scientists’ frequent evacuations to bomb shelters, talk turns to the bomb’s destructive power and the heavy responsibility they would assume for unleashing it. “If we don’t [build] it, the Americans will, or the Soviets,” says one. ARAKATSU reminds them that Japan started the war over energy: “Nuclear fission means mankind’s energy problems are solved forever. There will be no further wars.” Seventy-five years (and many wars) later, “The Gift of Fire” tackles the sticky moral issues arising from mankind’s pursuit of scientific advancement, and underscores their emotional costs.

　The secret history of Japan’s own efforts to build an atomic bomb began to emerge about a decade ago, when director KUROSAKI Hiroshi discovered a fragment of a young scientist's diary in a Hiroshima library, and began researching its revelations. His resulting script was recognized with a Special Mention at the Sundance Institute/NHK Awards, and one of the judges, NHK producer TSUCHIYA Katsuhiro, vowed to help KUROSAKI get the film made. The men were determined to create a world-class work, and with LA-based producer MORI Ko, formed an international team of creative collaborators.

　Please join us for this sneak preview of “The Gift of Fire” before the film’s release in Japan on August 6.

＜STAFF＞
Cast: YAGIRA Yuya, ARIMURA Kasumi, MIURA Haruma, TANAKA Yuko, KUNIMURA Jun, OGATA Issey, YAMAMOTO Shinya, Peter STORMARE (voice)
Director: KUROSAKI Hiroshi
Screenwriter: KUROSAKI Hiroshi
Producers: MORI Ko, TSUCHIYA Katsuhiro, HAMANO Takahiro
Executive Producers: INOUE Yoshihisa, YAMAGUCHI Shin, SANO Shohei, MORITA Atsushi, KONISHI Keisuke, ARIMA Kazuaki, HIGASHIHARA Kuniaki

＜Info＞
Year of production：2020
Running time：111'
Country：Japan/USA
Language:Japanese

Director

KUROSAKI Hiroshi
Director KUROSAKI Hiroshi began his career with NHK Japan in 1992 and has helmed many series, including the award-winning mini-drama “Goldfish” (2009), “Chase: National Tax Inspector” (2010), “Made in Japan” (2013), the popular morning show “Hiyokko” (2017), “Unsolved Cases: Devil's Bargain” (2018), and the currently popular “Reach Beyond the Blue Sky” (2021). He released his feature debut, “Second Virginity,” in 2011 to national acclaim. His script for “Gift of Fire” received the Special Mention Award at the Sundance Institute/NHK Award 2015, and a TV version of the film was broadcast on NHK in 2020.