JFF25 Petals and Memories

Set in Osaka, the story follows siblings Toshiki and Fumiko, who lost their parents early on. As the older brother, Toshiki promised their late father he would always protect his little sister, Fumiko. Taking on the role of both parent and brother, Toshiki dropped out of high school to work at a local factory to support them both. Now, Fumiko has grown and the day of her wedding is drawing near. As Toshiki watches the happy couple set out to begin a new chapter he can’t help but grumble, all while feeling a sense of relief. He rehearses his speech for Fumiko's big day, when an unsettling thought creeps in: Fumiko holds the memories of a woman who died in an incident. The film is based on the short story Hana Manma, featured in the short story collection of the same name by Minato Shukawa, winner of the prestigious 133rd Naoki Prize. Directing the film is Tetsu Maeda, a director celebrated for his empathetic storytelling and meticulous direction. His films seamlessly weave humor, raw emotion and deeply moving moments—qualities evident in works like And So The Baton Is Passed.