Soushi Matsumoto’s debut film, It’s a Summer Film is a coming-of-age teen fantasy. The film’s screenplay is written by Naoyuki Miura who brings out the essence of teenage life by questioning the future of cinema. With a duration of 97 minutes, It’s a Summer Film tells the story of three enthusiastic teenagers who fights against all odds to make a Samurai film in school. Barefoot, played by Mariko Ito, loves Samurai films and intends to direct a Samurai film for her school film festival. Her two best friends, Kickboard (Yumi Kawai) and Blue Hawaii (Kirara Inori) gives their unconditional support to Barefoot. The film has no villain but something called an ‘almost antagonist’ role played by Mahiru Coda as Karin.
Barefoot is annoyed that the school film club decided to support and fund Karin’s rom-com film. Karin and her production crew is filming a rom-com film which is filled with I love you’s. While Barefoot and her friends are busy watching Samurai films of Shintaro Katsu and reading The Girl Who Leapt through Time by Yasutaka Tsutsui. Matsumoto portrays bliss and serenity in cinema through the character of Barefoot. Barefoot is obsessed with samurai films and she loves cinema. She narrates that her grandmother also loves samurai films and claims that her grandma is friends with Raizo Ichikawa. She further claims that her grandmother gave acting lessons to Katsu Shintaro. A true connoisseur of samurai films, Barefoot decides to change the world through her films. “Through my films, I want to connect the future. I want to connect the present with the past through the big screens” says Barefoot to her friends.
Rintaro, played by Daichi Kaneko, comes to the school as a new-comer. On seeing Rintaro, Barefoot is inspired to include him in her samurai film. Barefoot, Kickboard and Blue Hawaii are on a hunt for casts and production crew for a film called Samurai Spring which will be directed by Barefoot. Rintaro agrees to be in Barefoot’s film and the shooting of Samurai Spring commences with fierce competition between Karin and Barefoot. However, as the shoot progresses, Barefoot learns that Rintaro is a time-traveller from the future. This is where Masumoto brings in a sci-fi twist to It’s a Summer Film. A cinema enthusiast herself Barefoot learns a bitter truth about cinemas in the future and it almost broke her.
It’s a Summer Film is joyful, exuberant and beautiful. From hanging out in a worn down van to shooting samurai scenes in the beach, Barefoot and her friends have it all— youth, time, joy, summer and childhood. Instead of going away for summer vacation Barefoot invest her time in making her first film. This shows Matsumoto’s dedication to cinema.
It’s a Summer Film is indeed a very summer film. Through the production of Samurai Spring, the kids are able to enjoy their teenage life. The making of Samurai Spring could only act as a pretext for the high schoolers to really experience high school life and to make the most of their summer. Soushi Matsumoto is able to bring out youthful energy and the fleeting nature of youth. In addition, Matsumoto addresses the importance and love of cinema through It’s a Summer Film. As film fans, one can really feel the liveliness and the dynamic spirit of revelling in the cinematic world.
A former member of the Japanese Idol group, Nogizaka46, Marika Ito did justice to the role of her character, Barefoot. Her passion and eagerness added beauty to the entire narration of the film. It’s a Summer Film has a beautiful cast ensemble, each carrying out their unique roles to the fullest. A comic character who adds most humour to the cast would be Shunya Itabashi who plays the role of Daddy Boy, a much older student than the rest. Daichi Kaneko as Rintaro is a perfect cast and Yumi Kawai and Kirara Inori did their parts in bringing out the perfect cast ensemble.
It’s a Summer Film is fun and nostalgic. It is enthusiastic, entertaining and adventuresome. It mostly portrays the fleeting nature of youth and the passion that carries with it. Although Barefoot dislikes romance, the surprising ending gives romantic feels. It’s a Summer Film does not only portray adolescence but it is also romantic. On the other hand we can also say that it has science-fiction elements to it. You have a boy from the future who has never eaten marshmallows or have watched Netflix. It celebrates film-making in its entirety. What makes Matsumoto’s debut film all about summer is that it is also filled with summer like musical accompaniments that awakens the youthful soul in you. The cinematography is warm and exuberant. All in all, It’s a Summer Film is a happy watch. A film on youth, a film on summer, it is sure to awaken the adolescent in you.
This film is scheduled to première in India at the Japanese Film Festival Online 2022 February 14-27, 2022. You can watch this film free online at https://watch.jff.jpf.go.jp/
