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Ema Ryan Yamazaki
JP US FI FR 2023 52' 99'
⚬ Human Interest ⚬ Kids & Youth
What are the traits necessary to become part of Japanese society? Following 1st and 6th graders at a public elementary school in Tokyo for a year, we observe a school system that might differ from other countries. Alongside studying, the kids learn about self-discipline, community spirit and good manners. The fine balance between individualism and being respectful towards others is tested on a daily basis. THE MAKING OF A JAPANESE elevates the important childhood years and is a fascinating watch about the big dramas of everyday life.
"nuanced portraits that try to explain why Japan is the way it is, while also showing the potential costs of those practices." - NY Times
"The Oscar®-nominated short doc Instruments of a Beating Heart itself grew out of Ema Ryan Yamazaki’s award-winning feature documentary The Making of a Japanese (2023), which examined in depth the primary school system in Japan." - Business Doc Europe
Director | Ema Ryan Yamazaki |
Producer | Eric Nyari |
Co-Producers | Outi Rousu, Luc Martin-Gousset |
Executive Producers | Shin Yasuda, Akihiko Sugie |
Production Company | Cineric Creative |
Co-Production Companies | NHK, Pystymetsa, Point du Jour |
Cinematography | Kazuki Kakurai |
Additional Cinematography | John Donica |
Editor | Ema Ryan Yamazaki |
Co-Editors | Mariko Ide, Mizuki Toriya |
Music | Paivi Takala |
Sound | Andrew Tracy |
Nippon Docs Award | Nippon Connection Film Festival 2024 |
Special Jury Award | EBS International Documentary Festival(EIDF) 2024 |
Audience Award | Japan Cuts 2024 |
Tokyo IFF 2023 |
Thessaloniki DFF 2024 |
Millennium Docs Against Gravity FF 2024 |
| Runtime | 52' 99' |
| Production Countries | Japan, USA, Finland, France |
