‘Look Back’ premieres at 83rd Venice International Film Festival to 12-minute standing ovation!

〈Look Back〉 is a poignant story about two girls who become each other’s world as they draw four unforgettable seasons together. Based on the manga of the same name by popular manga artist Tatsuki Fujimoto, the film was directed, written and edited by Hirokazu Kore-eda, attracting keen interest from film fans around the world from the production stage onward.

〈Look Back〉 successfully held its world premiere in competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at 5 p.m. local time in Venice on Sept. 7 (Monday), drawing an explosive response. About 1,000 audience members filled the theater for the screening, and an enthusiastic standing ovation lasting more than 12 minutes, along with rousing cheers, followed the film, adding to the excitement in the theater. 

Immediately after the screening, major international media outlets praised director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s deft direction, profound humanism and sensitive adaptation, which expands on the original work. “Hirokazu Kore-eda’s moving tribute to friendship. A film filled with wonder at the beauty of life and the joy of sharing that beauty with the people we love” (Variety); “Hirokazu Kore-eda’s finest achievement. A triumphant return” (The Film Stage); “A faithful adaptation with dazzling, fresh textures” (IndieWire); and “A film that proves why Hirokazu Kore-eda is one of contemporary cinema’s great humanists” (New York Magazine) were among the accolades. Critics also praised the immersive performances and chemistry of the four actors — Natsuki Deguchi, Aju Makita, Furi Nanase and Roka Okada — calling their rapport “lovable” (Next Best Picture) and describing the film as “an elegant work about childhood friendship and the way it shapes artistic dreams” (South China Morning Post). 

Meanwhile, 〈Look Back〉 has emerged as one of the most anticipated films of the fall after receiving an official invitation to the competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival and to the Gala Presentation section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival. Following the acclaim from critics around the world at its Venice world premiere, 〈Look Back〉 has pushed anticipation to a fever pitch and will open in theaters nationwide on Oct. 8.