Sweating the Small Stuff

  • 114'
  • Japan
  • 2017

Car mechanic Ryutaro paces around his life, full of confidence – but there’s something holding him back. Over the span of a few days, we see him break his routine of working and drinking with periodic visits to Ryuko – a surrogate mother since his own mother passed away when he was a young child. Ryuko has fallen gravely ill and does not have much time left.

A Japanese expression referring to peripheral matters, the original title of the film conjures up an image of leaves on the outermost branches of a tree. Far away from the trunk, they can be blown away at any moment and forgotten forever. Based on personal experiences, writer-director Ninomiya Ryutaro stars in his own film on the fragility of life, and stages it in the very places the events took place. Pain and regret are hidden in his stony-faced strides.

Director
Ninomiya Ryutaro
Country of production
Japan
Year
2017
Festival Edition
IFFR 2018
Length
114'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Edaha no koto
Language
Japanese
Producer
Suzuki Tokushi
Production Company
Kurinke
Sales
Free Stone Productions
Screenplay
Ninomiya Ryutaro
Cinematography
Shinomiya Hidetoshi
Editor
Ninomiya Ryutaro
Sound Design
Nemoto Asuka
Cast
Ninomiya Ryutaro, Matsumoto Daiki, Yajima Yasumi, Hirose Yuki, Ninomiya Tetsuo, Kimura Tomoki, Imaoka Shinji
Director
Ninomiya Ryutaro
Country of production
Japan
Year
2017
Festival Edition
IFFR 2018
Length
114'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Edaha no koto
Language
Japanese
Producer
Suzuki Tokushi
Production Company
Kurinke
Sales
Free Stone Productions
Screenplay
Ninomiya Ryutaro
Cinematography
Shinomiya Hidetoshi
Editor
Ninomiya Ryutaro
Sound Design
Nemoto Asuka
Cast
Ninomiya Ryutaro, Matsumoto Daiki, Yajima Yasumi, Hirose Yuki, Ninomiya Tetsuo, Kimura Tomoki, Imaoka Shinji

Programme IFFR 2018

Bright Future

A selection of discoveries for the future. Emerging talent with original subject matter and an individual style. Includes the Bright Future Competition for first feature films.

Read more about this programme