SIGNATURE

ABOUT

Signature

Synopsis

An innocent young man from China is anxiously memorizing “his hope” in the middle of the noisy crowd in Shibuya.

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DIRECTOR

Kei Chikaura

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.

Crew

  • Written, directed and edited by Kei Chikaura
  • Co-creator: Yukinari Takamura
  • Produced by Kei Chikaura
  • Cinematography: Miki Ogawa
  • Sound: Masashi Furuya
  • Camera: Yoshinobu Nagamori
  • Focus puller: Naohito Maeda
  • Gaffer: Asami Oogami
  • DIT: Kazuhiko Takahashi
  • Wardrobe Stylist: Yasuo Mori
  • Production Designer: Tooru Nishimura
  • Colorist: Tetsuji Yamashita
  • Line Producer: Jin Miura
  • Production manager: Kie Nakai
  • Translator: Yo Hei

CAST

Lu Yulai-main cast

Lu Yulai was born in China in 1982. He graduated from the Beijing Film Academy. His debut as a leading actor was in the film “PEACOCK” (2005) which received the Jury Grand Prix Silver Bear at the 55th Berlin International Film Festival. After that, he has starred many remarkable independent films, such as “Knitting” (Cannes - Directorʼs fortnight 2008), “Mabei shang de fating” (Venice - Orizzonti 2006), “Trap Street” (Venice - Critic Weeks 2013), among others. Lu Yulai is an alumnus of Berlinale Talent 2009.

  • Laurence Midori Ota
  • Lika Shimazu
  • Kayo Kawamoto
  • Taijiro Tamura
  • Special Appearance by Tim Ellrich
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PRODUCTION
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FESTIVALS & AWARDS

“Every time I meet that bright yellow wind in early spring,
I can't help turning my face away from that too pure honesty.”

-Yukio Mishima

CONTACT

Production

International Sales & Distribution