In competition films
Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni
In This Corner of the World
by Sunao Katabuchi – Japan, 2016
(128', O.V. with italian subtitles)
The award-winning story follows a young girl named Suzu Urano, who in 1944 moves to the small town of Kure in Hiroshima where she marries Shūsaku Hōjō - a young clerk who works at the local naval base. Living with his family, Suzu becomes essential to the running of the household and creatively prepares meals during the tough wartime conditions while also carrying out daily housework. In 1945, intense bombings by the US military finally reach Kure with devastating effect to the townsfolk and their way of life.
Suzu’s life is changed irrevocably, but through perseverance and courage, she manages to continue to live life to the fullest. This beautiful yet tragic tale shows that even in the face of adversity and loss, people can come together and rebuild their lives.
Sunao Katabuchi
Sunao Katabuchi (片渕須直 born in August, 1960) is a Japanese director of anime, and an instructor at the college of Art of Nihon University.
While studying at Nihon University, Katabuchi participated in the writing team of Sherlock Hound directed by Hayao Miyazaki. After graduating, he joined Telecom Animation Film.
In 1989, Katabuchi joined Studio 4°C and developed Princess Arete, which was released in 2001 and won the Excellent works of the year in Domestic Feature Film Category at Tokyo International Anime Fair in 2002. He joined Madhouse and worked for various animations including Black Lagoon.
In 2016, Katabuchi directed In This Corner of the World which was released on November 12, 2016 in Japan, and planned to be released in fifteen countries including UK, France, Germany, Mexico and US.