INTRODUCTION

Starring Gordon Maeda and directed by Yoshihiro Hanno (A Woman Wavering in the Rain, Paradise Next)
A young man, who reclaims "light" and "color" from a world of sound alone,
captures the memories of war through his gaze.

Hikari, a 20-year-old man who lost his eyesight at a young age, undergoes a successful surgery but remains unable to perceive colors. Guided by the photographs of Shomei Tomatsu, a renowned post-war Japanese photographer, he travels to Nagasaki. There, Hikari is invited by Tomobe, a self-proclaimed revolutionary, to participate in the production of a documentary film, leading him to trace the remnants of war in Nagasaki and Okinawa. Along the way, he encounters resilient individuals like Amy, who grew up hearing her grandmother’s wartime experiences, and Itosu, who deeply loves Okinawa and his family. These encounters set Hikari’s life on a transformative journey.

Lightning Over the Beyond, a road movie officially selected for the Nippon Cinema Now section at the 35th Tokyo International Film Festival, had its theatrical release in various locations across Japan from late last year until March of this year. Directed by Yoshihiro Hanno, this marks his third feature film following A Woman Wavering in the Rain and Paradise Next. Set against the backdrop of stunning monochrome cinematography, the film vividly portrays the remnants of war captured by Hikari's gaze and the lives of those who strive to protect the future while living amidst these memories.

The story, based on an original idea by Hanno himself, was brought to life by the passionate dedication of a cast and crew deeply resonating with the film's world. The lead role is played by Gordon Maeda, one of the most promising young actors of his generation, whose intense presence and acting prowess have garnered significant attention. At just 21 years old, Maeda's debut as a film lead shines brightly, embodying the very "lightning" that burns onto the screen. Hiroyuki Ikeuchi delivers an overwhelming performance as Tomobe, a challenging role that he executes with extraordinary passion and skill. Japan's hip-hop queen Awich also demonstrates her unique charisma and immense potential through her remarkable acting. Playing Itosu, a man dedicated to protecting the future of Okinawa, is Shogen, an Okinawan native who shares the same commitment. Lastly, Masaya Kato, who portrays the 71-year-old protagonist, brings an unparalleled presence that powerfully expands the world depicted in this film.

Hikari, a 10-year-old boy who lost his eyesight shortly after birth, experiences the world through "sound." He records his world on cassette tapes. There is a possibility that Hikari could regain his sight through surgery. After being persuaded by his mother, he decides to go through with the procedure...

At the age of 20, Hikari (Gordon Maeda) feels a strong pull toward the photographs of Shomei Tomatsu (1930-2012) and travels to Nagasaki. There, he meets a self-proclaimed revolutionary named Tomobe (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi), who invites him to participate in the production of a documentary film. This leads Hikari to trace the remnants of war in Nagasaki and Okinawa. Along the way, he encounters Amy (Awich), a woman who lives resiliently despite her emotional scars, and Itosu (Shogen), a man who deeply loves both Okinawa and his family. The painful memories of war and the lives of these three individuals begin to deeply shake Hikari's life. Amidst the scorching days, what will Hikari see with his eyes?

And then, in the year 2070, 51 years later, Hikari (Masaya Kato) is now 71 years old. The world he lives in has undergone a significant transformation...