Our Little Sister


Our Little Sister is a 2015 Japanese drama film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda and based on Akimi Yoshida's manga series Umimachi Diary. It stars Haruka Ayase, Masami Nagasawa, Kaho and Suzu Hirose. The film follows three sisters living in Kamakura, alongside their half sister. It was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

Plot

Three sisters, Sachi Kouda, Yoshino Kouda and Chika Kouda, live in the house of their grandparents in Kamakura. Their parents are divorced. One day, they receive news of the death of their father whom they have not seen in fifteen years. At the funeral, they meet their half-sister Suzu Asano. Suzu is living with her stepmother and stepbrother. Observing the behaviour of the stepmother at the funeral, Sachi guesses that Suzu looked after their father as he died, not the stepmother. At the train station Sachi spontaneously invites Suzu to come and live with them. Suzu joins the local football team and becomes popular as the relationship develops.

Cast

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Production

The film was produced by Fuji Television, Shogakukan, Toho and Gaga Corporation. Principal photography began in July 2014.

Release

The film premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. The film was released in Japan on June 13, 2015. It premiered in London, England on October 14, 2015 as part of the BFI London Film Festival

Box office

The film has grossed in Japan.

Critical response

reports a 94% approval rating for Our Little Sister, based on 118 critics, with an average score of 7.8/10. The film also holds a 75/100 average rating on Metacritic, based on 31 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Accolades

Our Little Sister received the most nominations at the 39th Japan Academy Prize, winning four of them including Picture of the Year and Director of the Year. The four actresses who portrayed the sisters were all awarded or nominated for the acting awards.
The film also won Audience Award at San Sebastián International Film Festival.