Based on the homonymous short film by Shunji Iwai, “Fireworks” is much more than an adaptation at 90 minutes, and one of the most commercially successful films in Japan for 2017.
The story takes place in a seaside town in a summer day, right before a festival taking place in the area, which features a show of fireworks. Two high school students, Norimichi and Yosuke, meet their mutual object of passion, Nazuna, at the school pool. A swimming race occurs almost immediately, with Yosuke winning, and Norimichi finding a strange fireworks ball in the pool, and Nazuna actually proposing to the former to accompany her on the festival. However, a little later it is revealed that the girl was just going to propose to the winner, and that her actual purpose is to get away from her mother and her new fiance, who plan to move away from the area.
The story takes place in a seaside town in a summer day, right before a festival taking place in the area, which features a show of fireworks. Two high school students, Norimichi and Yosuke, meet their mutual object of passion, Nazuna, at the school pool. A swimming race occurs almost immediately, with Yosuke winning, and Norimichi finding a strange fireworks ball in the pool, and Nazuna actually proposing to the former to accompany her on the festival. However, a little later it is revealed that the girl was just going to propose to the winner, and that her actual purpose is to get away from her mother and her new fiance, who plan to move away from the area.
- 3/25/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
“There is no world like that.”
As we look upon the pictures of our youth, whether they are from past yearbooks or snapshots with or friends, the magic of that moment in our lives stays on. Recounting the steps to one’s first date, the first trip without one’s parents or just simply the first days of summer vacation is mostly similar to taking a time travel for many of us. In the eyes of nostalgia, not only are we the best versions of ourselves when we are young, but also the quality of life was more intense and brighter. However, let us keep in mind how nostalgia also aims to filter out the many moments which are not that ideal or even ugly. Even directors, such as Andrei Tarkovsky, warned his readers in “Sculpting in Time” about the dangers of misguided nostalgia.
In the history of animation, there...
As we look upon the pictures of our youth, whether they are from past yearbooks or snapshots with or friends, the magic of that moment in our lives stays on. Recounting the steps to one’s first date, the first trip without one’s parents or just simply the first days of summer vacation is mostly similar to taking a time travel for many of us. In the eyes of nostalgia, not only are we the best versions of ourselves when we are young, but also the quality of life was more intense and brighter. However, let us keep in mind how nostalgia also aims to filter out the many moments which are not that ideal or even ugly. Even directors, such as Andrei Tarkovsky, warned his readers in “Sculpting in Time” about the dangers of misguided nostalgia.
In the history of animation, there...
- 7/27/2018
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
In a nation of repressed emotions, three young teens find themselves confronting their feelings at what might be their last opportunity to do so. Shy Norimichi (Masaki Suda) can’t stop himself from starring at Nazuna (Suzu Hirose) while his more confident best friend Yûsuke (Mamoru Miyano) admits to wanting to declare his love for her. The boys seek to deflect their obvious infatuations, falling over each other in embarrassment so that the other can win his prize regardless of how the object of their affection feels about either. So when the trio find themselves in the midst of a swimming race, fate decides for them. Norimichi hurts his foot, Yûsuke keeps his stride, and Nazuna’s victor impulsively asks the latter on a date simply because he surfaced first.
This ordeal sets the stage for directors Akiyuki Shimbô and Nobuyuki Takeuchi’s Fireworks, adapted by Hitoshi Ône from Shunji Iwai’s 1993 teleplay.
This ordeal sets the stage for directors Akiyuki Shimbô and Nobuyuki Takeuchi’s Fireworks, adapted by Hitoshi Ône from Shunji Iwai’s 1993 teleplay.
- 7/22/2018
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Some people go to the movies to escape their troubles, and for the most part, movies let them. It’s rare for a movie to seriously question whether or not escapism itself is healthy. Perhaps filmmakers aren’t exactly eager to bite the hand that feeds them.
The new anime romance “Fireworks” doesn’t chomp down hard on the audience’s digits either, but it does give our collective fantasies a pointed little nip.
Based on a live-action TV movie from 1993, “Fireworks” is a light foray into the wondrous. Masaki Suda voices Norimichi, a typical high schooler with a crush on his classmate, Nazuna (Suzu Hirose). Then again, Norimichi’s best friend Yusuke (Mamoru Miyano) has a crush on her too. It’s a romantically charged environment at their summer school, where the boys are so girl-crazy that even their teachers are uncomfortable.
Also Read: Paramount and Bad Robot to...
The new anime romance “Fireworks” doesn’t chomp down hard on the audience’s digits either, but it does give our collective fantasies a pointed little nip.
Based on a live-action TV movie from 1993, “Fireworks” is a light foray into the wondrous. Masaki Suda voices Norimichi, a typical high schooler with a crush on his classmate, Nazuna (Suzu Hirose). Then again, Norimichi’s best friend Yusuke (Mamoru Miyano) has a crush on her too. It’s a romantically charged environment at their summer school, where the boys are so girl-crazy that even their teachers are uncomfortable.
Also Read: Paramount and Bad Robot to...
- 7/4/2018
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
Gkids has acquired North American rights to Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom, an animated film from directors Akiyuki Shinbo and Nobuyuki Takeuchi that bowed last year in Japan. The distributor, a perennial Oscar nominee in the Animated Feature category including The Breadwinner this year, is eyeing a summer 2018 release. The pic, which has grossed $26 million in Japan since its August 2017 bow, is produced by Shaft and Genki Kawamura (Your Name)…...
- 3/15/2018
- Deadline
Distributor earned animated feature Oscar nod for The Breadwinner earlier this year.
Family animation producer and distributor Gkids has acquired North American rights to Fireworks, producer Genki Kawamura’s follow-up to Japanese hit Your Name.
Nobuyuki Takeuchi directed the story about star-crossed lovers with a sci-fi twist. When a shy boy runs away with his love and things turn sour, he discovers a multi-coloured ball in the sea with the power to turn back time.
However each reset brings further complications and moves the couple further away from each other until they risk losing sight of reality altogether.
Akiyuki Shinbo...
Family animation producer and distributor Gkids has acquired North American rights to Fireworks, producer Genki Kawamura’s follow-up to Japanese hit Your Name.
Nobuyuki Takeuchi directed the story about star-crossed lovers with a sci-fi twist. When a shy boy runs away with his love and things turn sour, he discovers a multi-coloured ball in the sea with the power to turn back time.
However each reset brings further complications and moves the couple further away from each other until they risk losing sight of reality altogether.
Akiyuki Shinbo...
- 3/15/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
This disorientating teen tale – think Japan’s answer to Sliding Doors – follows the divided destinies of three characters in wholly un-Hollywood style
The full Japanese title is: Uchiage hanabi, shita kara miru ka? Yoko kara miru ka? or “Fireworks, should we see them from the side, or below?” This is co-directed by Nobuyuki Takeuchi (an animator who has worked for Hayao Miyazaki) and is an anime version of a 50-minute live-action TV play from 1993 by Shunji Iwai, who made the cult 2001 teen feature All About Lily Chou-Chou. It is a strange but atmospheric realist fantasy about how it feels to be a teenager, quite without the emollient notes of comedy or irony that you might expect from Hollywood. This is an adventure in counter-factual romance – like Sliding Doors, perhaps.
A bunch of kids are preparing to go to a firework display, and are arguing about whether the starburst shapes in...
The full Japanese title is: Uchiage hanabi, shita kara miru ka? Yoko kara miru ka? or “Fireworks, should we see them from the side, or below?” This is co-directed by Nobuyuki Takeuchi (an animator who has worked for Hayao Miyazaki) and is an anime version of a 50-minute live-action TV play from 1993 by Shunji Iwai, who made the cult 2001 teen feature All About Lily Chou-Chou. It is a strange but atmospheric realist fantasy about how it feels to be a teenager, quite without the emollient notes of comedy or irony that you might expect from Hollywood. This is an adventure in counter-factual romance – like Sliding Doors, perhaps.
A bunch of kids are preparing to go to a firework display, and are arguing about whether the starburst shapes in...
- 11/10/2017
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Festival adds three special screenings.
The San Sebastian Film Festival has added three special screenings, among them Arnold Schwarzenegger-narrated and produced nature documentary Wonders Of The Sea 3D, which is due to get its world premiere at the event.
The film, shot underwater over three years in locations from Fiji to the Bahamas, is directed by Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, together with Jean-Jacques Mantello.
Also added are Albert Dupontel’s See You Up There and Japanese animation Fireworks, Should We See It From The Side Or The Bottom?, both of which get their international premieres.
These three films make up the Official Selection special screenings section together with the already-announced Morir by Fernando Franco.
The festival has announced 18 of the Official Selection titles with more films still to be revealed.
Special screenings (synopses provided by San Sebastian):
Au Revoir LÀ-haut / See You Up Therealbert Dupontel (France)
November 1919. Two survivors of the trenches set up...
The San Sebastian Film Festival has added three special screenings, among them Arnold Schwarzenegger-narrated and produced nature documentary Wonders Of The Sea 3D, which is due to get its world premiere at the event.
The film, shot underwater over three years in locations from Fiji to the Bahamas, is directed by Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, together with Jean-Jacques Mantello.
Also added are Albert Dupontel’s See You Up There and Japanese animation Fireworks, Should We See It From The Side Or The Bottom?, both of which get their international premieres.
These three films make up the Official Selection special screenings section together with the already-announced Morir by Fernando Franco.
The festival has announced 18 of the Official Selection titles with more films still to be revealed.
Special screenings (synopses provided by San Sebastian):
Au Revoir LÀ-haut / See You Up Therealbert Dupontel (France)
November 1919. Two survivors of the trenches set up...
- 8/17/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Festival adds three special screenings.
The San Sebastian Film Festival has added three special screenings, among them Arnold Schwarzenegger-narrated and produced nature documentary Wonders Of The Sea 3D.
The film, shot underwater over three years in locations from Fiji to the Bahamas, is directed by Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, together with Jean-Jacques Mantello.
Also added are Albert Dupontel’s See You Up There and Japanese animation Fireworks, Should We See It From The Side Or The Bottom?.
These three films make up the Official Selection special screenings section together with the already-announced Morir by Fernando Franco.
The festival has announced 18 of the Official Selection titles with more films still to be revealed.
Special screenings (synopses provided by San Sebastian):
Au Revoir LÀ-haut / See You Up Therealbert Dupontel (France)
November 1919. Two survivors of the trenches set up a scam based on war memorials. One is a brilliant illustrator, the other an...
The San Sebastian Film Festival has added three special screenings, among them Arnold Schwarzenegger-narrated and produced nature documentary Wonders Of The Sea 3D.
The film, shot underwater over three years in locations from Fiji to the Bahamas, is directed by Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, together with Jean-Jacques Mantello.
Also added are Albert Dupontel’s See You Up There and Japanese animation Fireworks, Should We See It From The Side Or The Bottom?.
These three films make up the Official Selection special screenings section together with the already-announced Morir by Fernando Franco.
The festival has announced 18 of the Official Selection titles with more films still to be revealed.
Special screenings (synopses provided by San Sebastian):
Au Revoir LÀ-haut / See You Up Therealbert Dupontel (France)
November 1919. Two survivors of the trenches set up a scam based on war memorials. One is a brilliant illustrator, the other an...
- 8/17/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Producer Genki Kawamura and Japanese studio Toho are partnering again after global success of Your Name.
Following their collaboration on hit animation Your Name, Japanese studio Toho and producer Genki Kawamura are reteaming on an animated feature based on a TV series created by Shunji Iwai.
The new project, Fireworks, Should We See It From The Side Or The Bottom?, will be directed by Akiyuki Shinbo of Japan’s Shaft animation studio and Nobuyuki Takeuchi, who has worked with Studio Ghibli. Hitoshi One (Bakuman) has adapted the TV series created by writer-director Iwai (A Bride For Rip Van Winkle).
Currently in production, the film tells the story of two young boys and a girl whose fates become intertwined one summer day. Voice talent on the film includes Suzu Hirose (Our Little Sister), Masaki Suda (Drowning Love) and Mamoru Miyano (Death Note). Japanese release is scheduled for August 2017.
New titles on Toho’s slate also include suspense...
Following their collaboration on hit animation Your Name, Japanese studio Toho and producer Genki Kawamura are reteaming on an animated feature based on a TV series created by Shunji Iwai.
The new project, Fireworks, Should We See It From The Side Or The Bottom?, will be directed by Akiyuki Shinbo of Japan’s Shaft animation studio and Nobuyuki Takeuchi, who has worked with Studio Ghibli. Hitoshi One (Bakuman) has adapted the TV series created by writer-director Iwai (A Bride For Rip Van Winkle).
Currently in production, the film tells the story of two young boys and a girl whose fates become intertwined one summer day. Voice talent on the film includes Suzu Hirose (Our Little Sister), Masaki Suda (Drowning Love) and Mamoru Miyano (Death Note). Japanese release is scheduled for August 2017.
New titles on Toho’s slate also include suspense...
- 2/9/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
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