SIGNATURE

Kei Chikaura-director writer

Kei Chikaura started a career as a filmmaker with his first short film, “Empty House” in 2013. His second short film, “The Lasting Persimmon”, was selected for Clermont- Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2016. In 2017, his 3rd short film, Signature will have its world premiere at 70th Locarno Film Festival. He is now in pre-production for his first feature.

Director’s Statement

This film is about the sadness of youth in the age of international migration.
In Japan, there is a training program for other Asians called Technical Intern Training Program. Originally, its objective was assisting Asian developing countries. However, nowadays the situation has changed a lot. Some companies use it just for hiring a lot of young foreign workers under extremely low wage; not providing them any education. In this background, more than 5,800 trainees a year escape from the companies they belong and eventually become illegal overstayers or workers.
In this film, I wanted to look closely into an innocent young man from China, and find in me some connection with him.