“Great Absence” Selected for Official Competition at the 71st San Sebastian International Film Festival: Scene Photos Released

Following its Toronto debut, the Mirai Moriyama and Tatsuya Fuji starrer “Great Absence” is set to compete in Spain’s most prestigious film event, the 71st San Sebastian International Film Festival in the Official Competition Section.

The movie, in which Moriyama plays the lead role alongside Tatsuya Fuji, Yoko Maki, and Hideko Hara, will have its European premiere at this festival, taking place from September 22nd (Fri) to September 30th (Sat). Along with this announcement, four scene photos from the movie were also unveiled.

The San Sebastian International Film Festival is regarded as one of the most significant film festivals in Europe. Celebrating its 71st edition, it remains the largest Spanish-speaking film festival. In the festival’s Official Selection, 16 films from all over the world will compete for the top prize, the Golden Shell. This year, Japan sees two nominations for Official Selection: Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” and Kei Chika-ura’s “Great Absence”.

Director Kei Chika-ura, who helmed the 2018 film “Complicity”, made waves internationally with his debut feature receiving invitations to renowned film festivals such as Toronto, Berlin, and Busan. “Great Absence” is his second feature film. The film is in contention for the coveted Golden Shell award and is also up for several Silver Shell awards, including Best Director and Best Acting categories. During the festival, Director Chika-ura is scheduled to attend.

Furthermore, “Great Absence” is slated for its world premiere at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival in the Platform category, which kicks off on September 7th (Thurs). During the festival, the cast, including Mirai Moriyama, Tatsuya Fuji, and Hideko Hara, are all set to attend. The movie “Great Absence” is scheduled for a 2024 release in Japan.

Director Kei Chika-ura commented: “After the world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, it’s truly an honor to be able to have our European premiere in the competition at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. In September, I look forward to observing the different reactions from audiences in North America at Toronto and in Europe at San Sebastian.”

Kei Chika-ura embarked on his filmmaking career in 2013. His second short film, “The Lasting Persimmon,” received recognition at the 2016 Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. His third short film, “Signature,” was selected for numerous international festivals, including the Locarno Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017. In 2018, Chika-ura premiered his debut feature film “COMPLICITY” at the Toronto International Film Festival (Discovery Section). He also showcased the film at the Busan Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival. Chika-ura’s second feature film, GREAT ABSENCE, was shot on 35mm film and is set to have its World Premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival in the Platform Competition section. Additionally, the film will make its European premiere at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, being screened in the Official Competition section.