North American Premiere
37 Seconds
Viewpoints
| Japan, Thailand | 115 MINUTES | Japanese | English subtitlesAnimation, Drama
Yuma (Mei Kayama), 23 and living with cerebral palsy, sketches intricate sci-fi vistas as she dreams of breaking away. Her caring but protective mother (Misuzu Kanno) insists on sheltering her under her watchful eye. At the same time, Yuma is an accomplished artist collaborating on a manga series with her YouTube star cousin (Minori Hagiwara), who opts to keep Yuma hidden from the public eye and treat her as a ghostwriter.
Patiently and empathetically observed, 37 Seconds marks an impressive narrative debut from Hikari. She gradually expands the scope of Yuma’s explorations until her travels take her further than she could ever have anticipated. Although Yuma’s search for physical, creative, and sexual autonomy suits a broad canvas, Hikari maintains an intimate focus on her protagonist. Kayama is extraordinary as Yuma, holding the center in what deserves to be a breakout performance.
—Frederic Boyer
Patiently and empathetically observed, 37 Seconds marks an impressive narrative debut from Hikari. She gradually expands the scope of Yuma’s explorations until her travels take her further than she could ever have anticipated. Although Yuma’s search for physical, creative, and sexual autonomy suits a broad canvas, Hikari maintains an intimate focus on her protagonist. Kayama is extraordinary as Yuma, holding the center in what deserves to be a breakout performance.
—Frederic Boyer
Cast & Credits
Directed by
HIKARI
HIKARI is an award-winning writer and director. Her debut feature film, 37 Seconds, won the Panorama Audience Award and CICEA Art Cinema Award at 69th Berlinale. Her other directorial credit includes Tsuyako (2011), A Better Tomorrow (2013), and Where We Begin (2015).
Director
HIKARI
Producer
Shin Yamaguchi
Screenwriter
HIKARI
Cinematographer
Stephen Blahut
Editor
Thomas A. Krueger
Cast
Mei Kayama, Misuzu Kanno, Shunsuke Daito, Makiko Watanabe, Yoshihiko Kumashino, Minori Hagiwara, Shohei Uno, Haruka Imou, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, Eita Okuno, Shizuka Ishibashi, Toshinori Omi, Yuka Itaya