Three sisters, Sachi, Yoshino and Chika, live together in a large house in the city of Kamakura. When their father – absent from the family home for the last 15 years – dies, they travel to the countryside for his funeral, and meet their shy teenage half-sister. Bonding quickly with the orphaned Suzu, they invite her to live with them. Suzu eagerly agrees, and a new life of joyful discovery begins for the four siblings.
A delicate life story replete with childlike joy, Kore-eda’s latest film is based on the eponymous manga bestseller.
"What interests me greatly is not only the beauty of the scenery of Kamakura – or of the four sisters – but also the accepting attitude of this seaside town itself, absorbing and embracing everything. It is the beauty that arises from the realisation – not sorrowful but open-hearted – that we are just grains of sand forming a part of the whole, and that the town, and the time there, continue even when we are gone." (Hirokazu Kore-eda)
Hirokazu Kore-eda
Born 1962 in Tokyo, Japan. After graduating Kore-eda joined the TV Man Union where he directed several prize-winning documentaries. In 1995, his directorial debut, Maborosi, entered the Venice International Film Festival’s competition programme. His second film, After Life, brought him international acclaim. The director’s works sensitively treat crucial human issues, often featuring children in leading roles.
filmography (selection)
1995 Maboroshi no hikari
1998 Wandafuru raifu (After Life)
2001 Distance
2004 Dare mo shiranai (Nobody Knows)
2006 Hana yori mo naho (Hana)
2008 Aruitemo aruitemo (Still Walking)
2009 Kuki ningyo (Air Doll)
2011 Kiseki (I Wish)
2013 Soshite chichi ni naru (Like Father, Like Son)
2015 Umimachi Diary (Our Little Sister)