Happy Weekend
This trailer post comes on time and split into two with a Netflix release and a documentary mixed in with dramas, tokusatsu and more getting a theatrical run.
What are the first batch of films released this weekend?
Alone Again in Fukushima 
ナオト、いまもひとりっきり 「Naoto, Ima mo Hitorikkiri 」
Release Date: N/A
Running Time: 95 mins.
Director: Mayu Nakamura
Writer: N/A
Starring: Naoto Matsumura, Daisuke Matsumura, Shinichi Hangai, Toshiko Hangai,
Mayu Watanabe, a documentarian and dramatist. I’ve reviewed some of her films (Intimate Stranger, Among Four of Us) and interviewed her. You can read my review here.
Synopsis: A sequel to the 2015 documentary Alone in Fukushima, this film is the result of eight years of visits that director Nakamura undertook to follow Naoto Matsumura, a former builder who, in the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, stayed behind in Tomioka town to care for the animals who were left living in the shadow of he Fukushima nuclear reactors after humans were ordered to evacuate. On top of farm animals, Matsumura became a guardian to a whole host of other creatures great and small in an extraordinary story of humanity in the face disaster. A decade on from the 3/11 disaster, director Mayu Nakamura’s update on Matsumura.
Call Me Chihiro 
ちひろさん 「Chihirosan」
Release Date: February 23rd, 2023
Duration: 131 mins.
Director: Rikiya Imaizumi
Writer: Rikiya Imaizumi, Kaori Sawai (Screenplay), Hiroyuki Yasuda (Original Manga)
Starring: Kasumi Arimura, Hana Toyoshima, Jun Fubuki, Tetta Shimada, Toshie Negishi, Ryuya Wakaba, Miwako Ichikawa,
Prolific director Rikiya Imaizumi (Over the Town, Just Only Love) is the next talent to take on a Netflix production and this one is based on a manga. It stars Kasumi Arimura and a whole host of great character actors. At the time of publication, this film is live on Netflix as well as in select cinemas.
Synopsis: Chihiro works at a bento shop by the sea and she is welcoming to all who pass by. In her past life, she used to be a sex worker but she has moved on and doesn’t hide that fact. As she talks with customers about their lives, she helps them as well as overcomes her own loneliness.
Yudo 
湯道 「Yudo」
Release Date: February 23rd, 2023
Duration: 126 mins.
Director: Masayuki Suzuki
Writer: Kundo Koyama (Screenplay),
Starring: Toma Ikuta, Kanna Hashimoto, Gaku Hamada, Keiko Toda, Susumu Terajima, Eiji Wentz, Takashi Sasano, Akira Emoto, Mari Natsuki,
This is based on a screenplay from Kundo Koyama (Departures) and stars Toma Ikuta (Close-Knit).
Synopsis: Yudo. The way of the onsen. Shiro Miura leaves his job as an architect and returns to his hometown to close the onsen run by his late father and use the land to build apartments. His younger brother Goro Miura, who has run the place since their father passed away, is none to pleased but all conflict gets put to the side when Goro is injured in an accident. Shiro begins working their and starts to meet the regular customers and learn about them as well as the way of the onsen.
Sayonara Girls 
少女は卒業しない 「Shoujo wa Sotsugyou Shinai」
Release Date: February 23rd, 2023
Duration: 120 mins.
Director: Shun Nakagawa
Writer: Shun Nakagawa (Screenplay), Ryo Asai (Original Stories)
Starring: Yuumi Kawai, Rina Ono, Rina Komiyama, Tomo Nakai, Kistetsu Fujiwara,
Rina Ono (Pop!, On the Edge of their Seats) is one of a quartet of fresh young actresses taking on an anthology film of coming-of-age stories set in a high school two days two days before they graduate.
Synopsis: The high school is about to close and the building is scheduled to be demolished. Yuki Goto, the head of the basketball team, who is moving to Tokyo for higher education, has an awkward relationship with her boyfriend Terada, who remains in her hometown. Kanda Kyoko, the head of the light music club, has feelings for her childhood friend Morisaki. Shiori Sakuta, who does not fit in with her class and goes to the library, has a faint crush on Mr. Sakaguchi, who manages the library. Manami Yamashiro, who will give the valedictorian speech, is unable to tell her boyfriend about her feelings.
Ultraman Decker Finale: Journey to Beyond 
ウルトラマンデッカー最終章 旅立ちの彼方へ… 「Shoujo wa Sotsugyou Shinai」
Release Date: February 23rd, 2023
Duration: 84 mins.
Director: Masayoshi Takesue
Writer: Toshizo Nemoto (Screenplay),
Starring: Hiroki Matsumoto, Yuka Murayama, Nobunaga Daichi, Tomokazu Seki, Ryusei Naka, Sae Miyazawa,
This movie follows a TV series from 2022.
Synopsis: GUTS-SELECT is an investigative team that are looking into attacks from an alien army. A mysterious woman named Dinas helps the GUTS-SELECT team.
Ichiban aitai hito (The One I Long to See) 
いちばん逢いたいひと 「Ichiban aitai hito」
Release Date: February 24th, 2023
Duration: 106 mins.
Director: Joe Onodera
Writer: Joe Onodera (Screenplay), Makito Kondo (Original Stories)
Starring: Narumi Kuranoo, Reiko Takashima, Tamao Nakamura, Mayumi Tanaka, Hiroshi Oshima,
The whole process of treating leukemia and bonemarrow transplants is on display here. Narumi Kuranoo, a former AKB48 idol, takes the lead role. The film comes from producer Tomoko Hori whose own daughter had leukemia.
Synopsis: When11-year-old girl Kaede suddenly collapses in class, it is discovered that she has “acute myeloid leukemia”. She starts a tough course of drug treatment and radiation therapy but the only emotional support she has is Yoshi, who is fighting the same disease in the bed next to her. A donor shows up in the form of Kengo, an IT company owner who lost his daughter to leukemia. Feeling guilt over not being able to do more for his family, he becomes a bone marrow donor.
Hinomaru Terayama Shuuji 40-nen-me no Chouhatsu 
日の丸 寺山修司40年目の挑発 「Hinomaru Terayama Shuuji 40-nen-me no Chouhatsu」
Release Date: February 24th, 2023
Duration: 87 mins.
Director: Daiki Sai
Writer: N/A
Starring: Fumiko Takagi, Masumi Schmidt-Muraki, Satoshi Kaneko, Kohei Ando, Tsutomu Konno,
Synopsis: This documentary is a modern revival of the Shuji Terayama’s famous 1967 TBS documentary “Hinomaru” where he asked various people on the street, “What does the red of the Hinomaru mean? Do you have any foreign friends? If there is a war, would you fight against them?” With questions like that, you can bet conservatives and nationalists flipped out and it became a media sensation and even the government had questions. Well, director Daiki Sai does a similar thing and asks the same questions and contrasts the answers.