THE FRIENDS

A film by Shinji Sōmai

Cast : Rentaro Mikuni, Naoki Sakata, Naho Toda

1994 / Japan / Color / status : completed / Japanese / long feature-film

During the summer holidays, three young adventurous schoolboys have fun spying on an eccentric old man who lives alone in a secluded house. Gradually, they get closer and discover an extraordinary man.

From the acclaimed director of MOVING (Cannes 1993 Un Certain Regard, Venice Classics 2023 Best Restored Film award), and Typhoon Club, comes an enchanting and heartwarming coming-of-age tale. This narrative follows an unlikely group of children who, over the course of a summer, develop a mature outlook on life and death, deepening their appreciation for the value of their friendships.

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“The name of Shinji Somai deserves to be rediscovered today more than ever.”

Hirokazu Kore-Eda

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