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HIROSHIMA EYE

The Film “Rebooting Memories”

Screening Schedule

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Details


©映画『記憶の解凍』

<Synopsis>

Director KATABUCHI Sunao was born in 1960. While studying at Nihon University College of Art, Department of Cinema, he participated in the writing team of Sherlock Hound. After graduating, he worked as an assistant director on Kiki’s Delivery Service in 1989. He made his TV directorial debut with Famous Dog Lassie in 1996, and his feature film directorial debut with Princess Arete in 2001.

Since 2006, KATABUCHI has directed, written, and composed for the BLACK LAGOON anime series. His second feature film, Mai Mai Miracle, based on TAKAGI Nobuko’s autobiography Maimai Shinko, premiered at the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland in 2009.

In 2016, he directed In This Corner of the World, released on November 12 in Japan. The film won the 40th Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Animated Film, the 90th Kinema Junpo Best 10 Award for Best Japanese Film (becoming only the second animated film to do so), received the Jury Award at the 41st Annecy International Animated Film Festival, and was nominated for the 45th Annie Award for Best Animated Feature – Independent. An extended version, titled In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World, premiered on December 20, 2019.

KATABUCHI is currently working on a new project, The Mourning Children: Nagiko and the Girls Wearing Tsurubami Black, which depicts the period of the classical Japanese essay literature The Pillow Book.

<movie information>

Year of Production:2025
Running Time:77min
Country/Region:Japan
Language of Dialogue:Japanese,English
Subtitle Language:Japanese,English
Film Rating:General (All Ages)

  • NIWATA Anju

    ©︎庭田杏珠

    ＜Director＞

    NIWATA Anju

    Born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 2001. Peace artist, journalist, and director.
    After graduating from the University of Tokyo in 2024, joined Hiroshima Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd.

    Since high school, has worked on Rebooting Memories—an effort that colorizes black-and-white photographs of daily life before and after the atomic bombings, using AI technology, historical materials, and conversations with war survivors.

    Recipient of University of Tokyo President's Award (2020), the Hiroshima Book Award for co-authoring Rebooting Memories of Prewar & War Through Colorized Photographs in Collaboration with AI and Human (Kobunsha Shinsho, 2020), and the Encouragement Award (Newcomer Award) for NNN Documentary 24.

    ・August 2025: Rebooting Memories premieres at Hiroshima TV Hall
    ・November 2025: Opening film at the Hiroshima International Film Festival 2025
    ・December 19-25, 2025: Screening confirmed at Hatchōza

  • KATABUCHI Sunao

    ©︎片渕須直

    ＜Guest＞

    KATABUCHI Sunao

    Born in 1960, KATABUCHI Sunao is a Specially Appointed Professor and Senior Researcher at Nihon University College of Art. His screenwriting career began remarkably early with Sherlock Hound in 1984, which he wrote while still a university student.

    His directorial works include the feature films Princess Arete (2001), Mai Mai Miracle (2009), In This Corner of the World (2016), and its expanded sequel, In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World (2019).

    He is currently working on his latest film, The Mourning Children: Nagiko and the Girls Wearing Tsurubami Black, which depicts people living through a plague a thousand years ago.

  • HIPPY

    ©︎HIPPY

    ＜Singer Songwriter＞

    HIPPY

    Born and raised in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, HIPPY began his musical journey as the vocalist of the band maegashira, active from July 1999 to August 2011. Following the band’s disbandment, he embarked on a new chapter as a solo artist under the name HIPPY, bringing his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics to a wider audience.

    In 2015, he made his major debut with Nippon Crown, marking a significant milestone in his career. His 2017 release, Kimi ni Sasageru Ouenka (A Cheer Song Dedicated to You), resonated deeply with listeners across generations. The song’s warm message of encouragement has made it a beloved anthem, even chosen as the walk-up song by numerous professional baseball players.

    In 2025, celebrating a decade since his major debut, HIPPY set out on a four-city CLUB QUATTRO Tour starting in February, culminating in June with his first-ever arena performance — the 10th Anniversary Major Debut Live at Hiroshima Sunplaza Hall. A homecoming filled with gratitude, passion, and powerful music, it marked yet another unforgettable chapter in his journey.

  • HARA Kanako

    ©︎はらかなこ

    ＜Composer／Pianist＞

    HARA Kanako

    After graduating from the Piano Department of Toho Gakuen School of Music, she began performing mainly her own original compositions. Expanding her activities beyond Japan to international stages, she has been highly acclaimed for her expressive piano performances that seem to “sing.”

    As a pianist and keyboardist, she has participated in numerous recordings and live performances for a wide range of artists.
    In addition to performing, she is also active as a composer, creating music for a variety of media — including the opening theme for the TV program Joho Live Miyane-ya, the weather segment music for news every., as well as music for commercials, TV animations, dramas, stage plays, and musicals. Her versatile talent continues to shine across diverse fields of music.