Japanese Movie Spotlight: A Close Look at “Shibire”

Takuya Uchiyama is one of Japan’s most promising young directors today. His latest film, Shibire (Numb), is based on Uchiyama’s own memories and emotions from his youth. This Japanese movie has received critical acclaim from Japanese and international film critics. Let’s take a closer look at this talented director and the success of Shibire!

Who is Takuya Uchiyama?

Takuya Uchiyama is a Japanese film director and writer who was born in 1992 in Niigata. He grew up there and later moved to Tokyo to follow his dreams, which gives his story a warm and brave beginning. His background is special because he first studied fashion at Bunka Fashion College and worked as a stylist before choosing film. This early job helped him learn about colors, style, and people, which later became part of his film charm.

After working on movie sets as a stylist, Takuya Uchiyama realized he wanted to tell stories through film, so he studied filmmaking under director Ryota Nakano. Soon after, at just 23, he made his first feature film, Vanitas, in 2016, which marked the true start of his career. This film won the Audience Award at the Pia Film Festival and brought him early popularity in Japan and overseas.

Thanks to this success, his history as a filmmaker quickly grew stronger and more confident. He then created Blue Forest and many music videos, showing that he enjoyed working in many forms, not only long films. His current work includes directing feature films, short films, commercials, and music videos, all with a gentle yet deep style. Because of this flexible activity, many people see him as a creative director who loves exploring new ideas.

Which notable films helped him rise to the peak of his career?

One of the Japanese movie titles most closely associated with his name is Sasaki in My Mind, released in 2020 and simply called Sasaki by fans. This Japanese movie tells a soft but powerful story about memory, friendship, and growing up, and it quietly touched many viewers. 

It was shown at the Tokyo International Film Festival and stayed in theaters for several months, which shows how popular it became. The film also won the Kaneto Shindo Silver Award and other newcomer prizes, making Uchiyama well known as a rising director. 

Sasaki became a highlight of his career since it showed his belief that it is okay to be ordinary and gentle. Later, he also directed The Young Strangers in 2024, an international project that connected Japan with other countries. Through these films, his name became familiar to both young audiences and film lovers.

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What is Shibire about?

Shibire is a quiet and emotional Japanese movie that tells the story of a boy named Daichi growing up in a cold seaside town in Niigata. The film follows Daichi from childhood into adulthood, showing how he searches for a place where he truly belongs. 

Due to violence from his father, Daichi loses his voice and lives in deep silence. He lives with his mother Aki, who works late at night and is often absent, making him feel lonely and unsure. As time passes, Daichi moves between homes but still feels like he has no safe space in the world.

The story takes place near the Sea of Japan, where gray skies and strong waves quietly reflect Daichi’s inner emotions. When Daichi grows older, he decides to return to his childhood home to search for his missing father, and this journey becomes the main activity that changes his life. Takumi Kitamura plays the adult Daichi and conveys his emotions through subtle movements and calm expressions rather than words. Other actors, such as Rie Miyazawa and Masatoshi Nagase, also help shape the family story with subtle yet powerful performances.

How has this Japanese movie been highly praised?

At the 26th Tokyo FILMeX international film festival, Shibire received the Special Jury Prize, which placed it second among ten carefully selected competition films. This festival is known for supporting new and thoughtful voices in Asian cinema, so being honored there was a meaningful achievement. The award showed that the film was not only well-made but also deeply moving in its message.

Thanks to this recognition, the film quickly gained respect within the international film community. During the awards ceremony, one of the international jurors, director Matias Pineiro from Argentina, shared kind comments about the film. He described Shibire as simple and raw, yet very powerful, praising its strong emotional pull. These words helped explain why the jury connected with the movie on a personal level.

Why should I watch Shibire?

This Japanese movie is worth watching, offering a calm, thoughtful experience that stays with the viewer long after the screen fades. It doesn’t rush or try to impress loudly; instead, it invites you to slow down and listen to quiet emotions that are often ignored. In the end, Shibire feels like a soft conversation about life, silence, and understanding rather than a lesson or a show. What kind of stories do you hope filmmakers will continue to protect and share with the world?

Cited Sources

• Asahi Shinbun. “‘Shibire’ wins Special Jury Prize at Tokyo Filmex festival“.
• IMDb. “Shibire“.
• Berlinale. “Shibire (Numb)“.