Sano (Hiroki Sano), accompanied by his friend Miyata, returns to a Japanese seaside resort on the Izu peninsula where, five years earlier, he fell in love with his wife Nagi (Nairu Yamamoto). Japanese writer-director Kohei Igarashi’s contemplative, minimalist film is a profoundly tender and moving romance. Threaded throughout, the song ‘Beyond the Sea’ reflects the beauty of youth, and love gained and lost, while with a wonderful cast, we see cinema translate and make us feel the passage of time between people and places. This is a gem of a film not to be missed! Visually stunning, and winner of the Grand Prize at the Ghent and Reykjavik Film Festivals.

Festival selection/awards: Official selection, Giornate Degli Autori, Venice International Film Festival 2024.

Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard.

This film is screening as part of the East Asian Film Festival 2025.