島ぜんぶでおーきな祭-第7回沖縄国際映画祭-

On Wednesday March 25th, a cast greeting of the Special Invitation film “Gunjoiro no Torimichi” was held at Sakurazaka Theatre Hall A in Naha city, with main actor Renn Kiriyama and director Kiyoshi Sasabe coming up to the stage.
 

This film is set in Ota City, Gumma prefecture to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the consolidation of smaller municipalities. When the lead character returns home after moving to Tokyo to achieve his dreams, he finds he has mixed feelings that lead to a bittersweet yet heart-warming reunion with his family and friends. This gem of a film about youth is set in the unspoiled scenery of a hometown that everyone keeps in their hearts, capturing how the young man faces the people who have been supported him after 10 years away.

The shooting was done in only 9 days with support from a young men’s association and the residents of Ota city. Kiriyama said “Unfortunately the weather in the shooting was not great, but I was happy to have a perfect day for the scene in the forest on the very last shoot.”
 

There is a scene in which Kiriyama plays a guitar while singing, of which Kiriyama said, “I was practicing a guitar from a month before the audition, and finally I demonstrated it in front of the Mr. Sasabe. When I was still playing the verse, the director said ‘I decided to use you.’ And he brought a beer and continued ‘Let’s make a toast.’ so I was quite taken aback.”
 

In the end, Kiriyama commented “I believe that the movie became the one that can touch the audience heart, so I do hope you can enjoy the world of this movie.”