ACN Film Review: It’s A Summer Film is an ardent letter to cinema

Japanese Film Festival Online 2022 by Japan Foundation, New Delhi

REVIEW by Sunil Kumar: It’s A Summer Film (サマーフィルムにのって), also known as Summer Film Ni Notte

NEW DELHI/INDIA: It’s a Summer Film, the debut movie of the 34 years old filmmaker Soushi Matsumoto, is the have-it-all movie that depicts the adolescent’s grind, passion, and the glory of movie creation.

This film is an ardent letter to cinema, or it’s a push against the idea that they are receding. The director demonstrates the youth’s limitless potential, enthusiasm, and passion, which is surely something the Indian youth will connect with. It is one of the best cinematic expressions in recent years, revolving around the story of three Japanese high school students’ summer holidays and how they use their spare time to create their ever-longing movie project. A fun-filled summer experience of three youths who are trying to keep the concept of art and storytelling alive rather than selling out a syrupy commercialized script with the perfect blend of teenage romance, humor, drama, and surprising subplots is what the movie is in a few words.

Our four main protagonists Barefoot, Kickboard, Blue Hawaii and Rintaro played respectively by Marika Itô, Yumi Kawai, Kirara Inori, and Daichi Kaneko have done an excellent job of balancing the film’s drama and comedy. “Barefoot,” is a member of her high school’s film club, and is dealt a blow when she loses the vote for the club’s annual film project, which is to be screened at the school culture festival. She is an enthusiast for old samurai movies and knows each line and frame, especially Kenji Misumi’s “The Tale of Zatoichi,” a 1962 black-and-white swashbuckler starring Katsu as the titular blind swordsman.

IN SNAPSHOT: It’s A Summer Film (サマーフィルムにのって)

GENRE: Comedy, Romance, Youth, Sci-Fi

CAST: Marika Itō, Yuumi Kawai and Daichi Kaneko

DIRECTOR: Sōshi Matsumoto

WRITERS: Sôshi Masumoto & Naoyuki Miura

STARCAST: Marika Itô Daichi Kaneko Yumi Kawai

DIALOGUES: Japanese

SUBTITLES: English

RUNNING TIME: 01hr 37min (97minutes)

RELEASED: Aug 6, 2021

SCREENING (Online) @: Japanese Film Festival Online 2022 (Feb 14-27)

Japanese Film Festival Online 2022

CLASSIFICATION RATING: Unclassified all ages

The young filmmaker’s passion project serves as the centerpiece of our story. Marika has justified her actions in the ever-changing tide of adolescent emotions, which can range from over-eager excitement to crushing hatred at the drop of a hat.

Yumi Kawai as Kickboard and Kirara Inori as Blue Hawaii, each equally hilarious in their own right, flank her in the film, as well as Daichi Kaneko as Rintaro, the young man who becomes the star of Barefoot’s “Samurai Spring.” Rintaro does have a surprising secret, which one must find out themself. The director and writer have done an excellent job of presenting the characters without making them appear like over-eager nerds trying to out-nerd each other on film knowledge; instead, this is populated with fully developed young people eager to share their passion with the world, making for a stronger and more interesting narrative. 

The Indian cinema having numerous films showcasing strong friendship bonds would not get disappointed as well, as the storyline is full of surprises at every inch has also shown strong friendship connections. The debuting filmmaker seems to have put all his heart and might as well, and has tried to stylistically channel his awkward adolescent self for the project.

Without doubts, it is an amazing trial that showcased the idea of preserving the art of storytelling. Heart-warming youth experience with a sense of responsibility is something we can learn and inculcate in the teens to preserve culture along with growing contribution to the society, giving a peep into the life of growing teenagers along with their gist of being the best among others. Learning phases do give us the experience of the innocent, growing, and mindful adventure into the far East society.

It’s A Summer Film! is the righteous showcase for the importance of positive thinking, encouragement, and art preservation. It’s a documentary about why storytelling is so important to the human experience. There’s also a strong emphasis on the fact that there’s more to life than your passion project, as well as the importance of never compromising as a storyteller. This is an incredibly rich and layered story that will one day be required viewing for all film fans. This Japanese movie is an example to learn and express more in this global world. Surely it is going to connect with many viewers here in India.

Related article: Starting Feb 14, Japan Film Festival to virtually showcase 20 movies globally including India

About the Director:

Soushi Matsumoto (Director / Screenplay)

Born 1988 in Saitama Prefecture. Member of directors’ team THE DIRECTORS FARM. Soushi has directed numerous commercials, music videos, and web / TV drama series including “Aobake No Table” and “Girl Wa Friend.” He was nominated for the 21st Japan Media Arts Festival, Entertainment Division Jury Selection with his directorial work, “Light Blue” (Yusuke Emoto / Music Video). “It’s a Summer Film” had its world premiere at the 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival, Special Screenings Selection, and received excellent reviews from both the audience and critics. In 2021, his second feature “Around the Table” (the feature film version of “Aobake No Table”) was released as well.

松本壮史（監督／脚本）

1988年生まれ、埼玉県出身。CM、MV、ドラマなどの映像監督。THE DIRECTORS FARM 所属。主な作品に、北欧、暮らしの道具店オリジナルドラマ「青葉家のテーブル」やドラマ「ガールはフレンド」等。監督作「江本祐介/ライトブルー」(MV) が第 21 回 文化庁メディア芸術祭 エンターテインメント部門審査委員会推薦作品に選出。本作は第33回東京国際映画祭 特別招待作品に選出され、多くの映画ファンからの注目を浴びた。2021 年は本作の他に、オリジナルドラマの長編映画化「青葉家のテーブル」が公開。