North American Premiere
Yuiga Danzuka’s feature debut is a hushed, evocative exploration of family and the contemporary city. Beginning 10 years in the past, a family vacation ends in ruin when architect Hajime (Kenichi Endo) departs early for a work opportunity in Tokyo. In the present, Hajime is a widower and estranged from his two children: his son Ren (Kodai Kurosaki) delivers for a florist; his daughter Emi (Mai Kiryu) is contemplating marriage. When one of Ren’s deliveries takes him to the offices of Hajime’s firm, an awkward process of reunion begins…
Crucial to Danzuka’s film is Tokyo itself, which operates as both setting and a symbol of Hajime’s indifference: The concrete overpasses, bright lights, and sterile architecture suggest an obliterated past, a troubled present, and an uncertain future. The parallels between city and family are strong, and the patriarch’s current contract — an urban renewal project that will displace homeless people — bolsters Danzuka’s critique. Amid the silence and stillness, catharsis will take place as characters discover what they truly value.
Supported by
Media Partner
Kodai Kurosaki, Kenichi Endo, Haruka Igawa, Mai Kiryu
Japan
2025
In Japanese with English subtitles
At International Village
At Fifth Avenue
Book Tickets
Credits & Director
Executive Producer
Takashi Homma, Kosuke Kaneko, Tetsujiro Yamagami
Producer
Kenji Yamagami
Screenwriter
Yuiga Danzuka
Cinematography
Koichi Furuya
Editor
Uichi Majima
Production Design
Satoshi Nanogaki
Original Music
Ryo Teranishi
Yuiga Danzuka 団塚唯我
Born in Tokyo in 1998, Yuiga studied at Keio University’s Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, later graduating from the Film School of Tokyo, where he studied under Kunitoshi Manda and screenwriter Takashi Ujita. In 2022, he wrote and directed the short film Far, Far Away for the ndjc (New Directions in Japanese Cinema) Young Filmmaker Development Project. Brand New Landscape is Yuiga’s debut feature, making him the youngest Japanese director ever to be featured at Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes.
Filmography: Far, Far Away (2022)
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
The Secret in Their Eyes
This month's Talking Pictures screening is a multi-layered, poignant thriller interweaving the personal lives of a prosecution investigator (Ricardo Darin) and a judge, with a manhunt spanning twenty-five years. Stay for cookies, coffee and a chat after!
American Doctor
One of the most powerful documentaries of the year, this puts us smack in the open wound that is Gaza, filtered through the eyes of three American surgeons (of Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian backgrounds) compelled to do their utmost to alleviate harm.
