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"My Sunshine" de de Hiroshi Okuyama
Cinema
Work

5 min

Cinema release: "My Sunshine" by Hiroshi Okuyama

In My Sunshine, Hiroshi Okuyama crafts a poignant coming-of-age tale where three characters cross paths on the island of Hokkaido, set against the backdrop of figure skating. With sensitivity and subtlety, he captures the fragility of a challenging age and the evolution of passions over time. Releasing in theaters on December 25, the film received support from Aide aux cinémas du monde, co-managed by the CNC and the Institut français. 

My Sunshine
© 202
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A filmmaker influenced by Kore-eda

Born in 1996 in Tokyo, Japan, Hiroshi Okuyama studied at Aoyama Gakuin University before embarking on his debut feature, Jesus, which portrays Jesus Christ as the imaginary friend of a primary school student. In this project, he took on the roles of screenwriter, director, cinematographer, and editor. The film gained recognition at the 2018 San Sebastián International Film Festival, where it won the Kutxabank-New Directors Award. Influenced by the cinema of Kore-eda, the filmmaker presents his second feature, My Sunshine, in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. 

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Filming Winter

Hiroshi Okuyama captures the island of Hokkaido in the heart of winter, during hockey season. In this icy setting, he delves into the story of a young boy captivated by a figure skater. Drawn to her practices, he decides to join her on the ice, evolving alongside her. As they begin training for the upcoming championship, their relationship gradually deepens, with the director delicately capturing the bond between these sensitive characters. 

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A delicate coming-of-age tale

In My Sunshine, Hiroshi Okuyama explores the stirrings of first emotions, the complexity of human relationships, and the contradictions between two vastly different characters. He crafts an initiation journey against a backdrop of social prejudices, unfolding through the seasons in stunning landscapes. Beneath this coming-of-age tale, the filmmaker strikes the right tone with subtlety and precision, capturing the nuances of growing up and the intricate layers of Japanese society. 

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A feature film supported by Aide aux cinémas du monde

Winner of the Kutxabank-New Directors Award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, Hiroshi Okuyama also received the Best Cinematography Award at the Stockholm International Film Festival and the Dublin Film Critics’ Circle Award for his debut feature, Jesus. He later presented My Sunshine in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Set to release in French cinemas on December 25, My Sunshine was supported by Aide aux cinémas du monde. 

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About Aide aux cinémas du monde

Aide aux cinémas du monde (ACM) is a selective grant co-managed by the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée (CNC) and the Institut français. It is dedicated to feature-length fiction, animation, or creative documentary projects intended for an initial theatrical release. The grant can be awarded either before production or after completion (for projects not initially selected for pre-production support). 

Learn more