What a fitting time for this title to hit.
Earlier today, GKIDS announced that they’re partnering with Fathom Events to give Fireworks (Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka?, lit. Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?) a theatrical run in North America. The film will be shown on July 3, 5, and 7.
GKIDS opened a website for the feature, which includes further information on the film. As of press time, a list of theaters hasn’t been announced.
Fireworks adapts Shunji Iwai’s 1993 drama of the same name. Nobuyuki Takeuchi is directing the feature at SHAFT, while Akiyuki Shinbo (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Bakemonogatari) serves as chief director. Hitoshi Ōne (Moteki, Bakuman) is writing the film’s screenplay.
The confirmed voice cast includes:
- Yūsuke Azumi: Mamoru Miyano
- Norimichi Shimada: Masaki Suda
- Nazuna Oikawa: Suzu Hirose
- Miura-sensei: Kana Hanazawa
- Nazuna’s Mother: Takako Matsu
- Junichi: Shintarō Asanuma
- Kazuhiro: Toshiyuki Toyonaga
- Jin: Yuuki Kaji
GKIDS describes the film as:
Producer Genki Kawamura follows up his mega-hit Your Name with another tale of star-crossed teenage lovers with a sci-fi fantasy twist. Shy Norimichi and fast-talking Yusuke, are goo-goo-eyed over the same elusive classmate, Nazuna. But Nazuna, unhappy over her mother’s decision to remarry and leave their countryside town, plans to run away and has secretly chosen Norimichi to accompany her. When things don’t go as planned, Norimichi discovers that a glowing multi-color ball found in the sea has the power to reset the clock and give them a second chance to be together. But each reset adds new complications and takes them farther and farther away from the real world – until they risk losing sight of reality altogether.
Fireworks tells a simple story of adolescent longing that taps deep wells of emotion. It is tale of youthful wistfulness, missed opportunities and long-ago dreams, of the urgency of young lovers, and the desire to create a separate universe, a magic place outside of time, where they can be together.
The original Fireworks was a 45-minute drama, which aired as part of the If: Moshimo series. Iwai won the Directors Guild of Japan’s New Directors Award for the feature.
Source: Twitter (GKIDS)
“Fireworks” Movie Hits North American Theaters on 7/3/2018 – Samantha Ferreira
