Hansekai

Sometimes, after being away from home long enough, it starts to feel like Another World. Junji Sakamoto’s heartfelt drama explores friendship, family, tradition, and growth through the stories of three childhood friends from rural Mie prefecture. Two of them, Hiroshi (Goro Inagaki) and Mitsuhiko (Kiyohiko Shibukawa) stayed behind, inheriting their fathers’ business. Meanwhile, Eisuke (Hiroki Kasegawa) left their hometown to join the Self-Defense Forces. But his unexpected return one day reopens old bonds and wounds in their relationships, altering the way they view their lives and their town forever. As their own personal and family problems unravel, will they be able to find solace, healing, and ultimately, friendship, with each other once more? (Hawaii International Film Festival)