Have You Become the Adult You Hoped to Be?

The protagonist of this film, Ryota, works at a private detective agency under the guise of research, while aspiring to literary success. He is divorced, has a child, and has experienced the collapse of his family due to his inability to quit gambling, a habit he continues despite his marriage. In both his work and personal life, he is living a life different from the image he once had of himself. This feeling of "this wasn't how it was supposed to be" is not unique to Ryota; it's a shared sentiment among the characters in the film.

As director Kore-eda explains, "It's a story that stays close to the present lives of ordinary people who, while burdened by unmanageable realities, cannot give up their dreams, and therefore cannot find happiness." The film, born from an initial idea interwoven with various motifs, depicts the drama of people living in the present, a reality different from the future they once dreamed of.

From the moment he began writing the script, Kore-eda envisioned Hiroshi Abe and Kirin Kiki for the roles of the protagonist Ryota and his mother, Yoshiko, respectively. They first appeared in a Kore-eda film together in the 2008 release "Still Walking," where they also played a parent-child relationship. Since then, they have frequently portrayed members of the "family" that Kore-eda creates. When asked why he asked Abe to play Ryota, Kore-eda stated, "The idea of asking anyone else simply didn't occur to me."




Kore-eda praises Abe, saying, "I even pictured Abe's voice while writing the script. His portrayal of Ryota, who could be called a failure, was so perfectly inept (laughs), it was truly wonderful." Lead actor Hiroshi Abe viewed Ryota's flaws as "humanity." He explained, "He puts on a brave face and acts tough, but he's actually weak. I think I was able to convey Ryota's immaturity, his clinging to dreams, as a form of humanity." While Abe is known for his passionate roles in "Shitamachi Rocket" and "Thermae Romae," he also convincingly plays the handsome yet unlucky and flawed men in "My Husband Can't Get a Wife" and "Trick." He is now an indispensable national treasure of Japan. In this film, Abe portrays Ryota, a pathetic man who chases only unfulfilled dreams, with a charm that is at times comical and at times poignant. His appearance in the small, slightly grimy square bathtub of the housing complex, with his large frame, was particularly comical and seemed to encapsulate Ryota's life.

Kirin Kiki, as the mother, delivers a performance of undeniable presence. Since "I Wish," Kiki has appeared in every Kore-eda film and is arguably an essential actress not only for Kore-eda's work but for Japanese cinema as a whole. "There is no one else with such a convincing presence, both as an actor and as a person. I feel I learn a great deal every time I have the opportunity to film with her, and it has become my own treasure," says director Kore-eda. Kiki, perhaps placing her complete trust in Kore-eda, with whom she has worked for nearly nine years, offered her unique praise: "Someone with such sensitivity would normally be more eccentric, but Kore-eda is so laid-back (laughs). That's his talent. I think his personality is also his talent."

Another highlight is the reunion of Yoko Maki and Lily Franky, who played a couple in "Like Father, Like Son," this time in different roles. Furthermore, Taiyo Yoshizawa, playing Ryota and Kyoko's son Shingo, delivers a performance full of youthful spirit, navigating the adult world with resilience and his own pace under the direction of Kore-eda, who is renowned for his work with child actors. The supporting cast includes Satomi Kobayashi as Ryota's sister, Sosuke Ikematsu as his subordinate, and Isao Hashizume, among other distinguished actors. The music by Hanaregumi also adds depth and warmth to the film.




"Happiness, you know, is something you can only obtain by giving something up."

This line, delivered by Kirin Kiki in the film, encapsulates everything. The former family members gather under one roof on a stormy night. Their thoughts intertwine as they know they will return to their separate lives once the storm passes,——Here is a deeply moving film that teaches us how to cherish a life "deeper than the sea."

A "Former Family" Accidentally Reunites Under One Roof on a Stormy Night

Ryota (Hiroshi Abe) is a middle-aged man whose life of failure continues to break records. A self-proclaimed author who won a literary prize once 15 years ago, he now works at a detective agency, but he tells those around him and himself that it's "research for a novel." His ex-wife, Kyoko (Yoko Maki), has lost patience with him, and despite being unable to adequately pay child support for their son, Shingo, he is shocked to learn she has a new boyfriend. Ryota's only lifeline is his mother, Yoshiko (Kirin Kiki), who lives a carefree life alone in a housing complex. One day, Ryota, Kyoko, and Shingo happen to gather at Yoshiko's home and become unable to return due to the typhoon, forced to stay until the next morning. Thus begins a time of "family" unexpectedly regained, for one night only,—.



Opening Saturday, May 21st, at Marunouchi Piccadilly, Shinjuku Piccadilly, and other theaters nationwide.

After the Storm
Original Story, Director, Screenplay, Editor: Hirokazu Kore-eda ("Like Father, Like Son," "Our Little Sister")
Starring: Hiroshi Abe, Yoko Maki, Satomi Kobayashi, Lily Franky, Sosuke Ikematsu, Taiyo Yoshizawa / Isao Hashizume, Kirin Kiki
Production: Fuji Television, Bandai Visual, AOI Pro., Gaga
Distribution: Gaga
gaga.ne.jp/umiyorimo