Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Look Back live-action film received a standing ovation lasting more than 12 minutes following its official screening at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on Sep 7.
The screening was attended by the film’s director Hirokazu Kore-eda and the cast Natsuki Deguchi, Aju Makita Furi Nanase, and Rokka Okada.
The film, competing for the Golden Lion in the festival’s Competition section, drew prolonged applause after the screening.
According to Livedoor News, the three bowed to the audience and waved back as the applause continued, with the cast and director appearing visibly moved by the reception.
Kore-eda praised the audience for remaining completely engaged throughout the film’s 100-minute runtime.
“I think it was a wonderful screening, with the audience not moving an inch for 100 minutes, and I was deeply touched by the heartfelt applause,” Kore-eda said.
The director also revealed that Deguchi’s reaction during the screening made it difficult for him to remain composed. He recalled that she began crying during a scene in which Fujino runs down a path through the rice fields.
“When Deguchi started crying during the scene in the first half where Fujino starts running down the path through the rice fields, I thought, ‘This is bad,’ and tried to watch calmly, but I couldn’t manage to do that either,” Kore-eda said.
Overwhelmed by the experience, Deguchi described it as a memory she would cherish for the rest of her life.
“Standing on the Venice stage with everyone who was in Nikaho at that time and receiving applause was a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.“
Makita also reflected on the emotional atmosphere inside the theater, stating that the “atmosphere in the theater made it incredibly moving, and when we received the standing ovation from everyone after the screening, it was the most moving moment of my life. I want to come back again!”
Look Back is one of 21 films competing for the Golden Lion at this year’s Venice International Film Festival.
It is based on Fujimoto’s one-shot manga, which was originally published by Shueisha in 2021. An anime film adaptation produced by Studio Durian premiered in June 2024.
Kore-eda discovered Look Back in a bookstore at Shinagawa Station. He read the entire book that night and later decided to direct the adaptation after meeting Fujimoto.
The film is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on Sep 11.
Source: Livedoor News
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