New Movies: Super Happy Forever (2024) by Kohei Igarashi: A Non-Linear Ode to Love, Loss, and Lingering Happiness
- dailyentertainment95
- 6 hours ago
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Core Summary: Grief-Stricken Man Revisits Past Love on a Journey Through Time and Memory
"Super Happy Forever" (2024) is a poignant and contemplative Japanese-French drama-romance directed by Kohei Igarashi. The film follows Sano, a man consumed by apathy and grief after the sudden loss of his wife, Nagi. He returns with his friend Miyata to Izu, the seaside town where he and Nagi first met five years earlier. The narrative is non-linear, gracefully oscillating between Sano's somber present, where he is haunted by mourning and searching for a lost red cap, and the serendipitous past where his tender romance with Nagi blossomed. It's a bittersweet exploration of how past happinesses endure, even in the shadow of profound loss, and the serpentine path towards recovery from trauma.
Snapshot: Grieving Husband, Seaside Return, and a Time-Bending Memory Lane of Lost Love
A widower returns to the coastal town where he met his late wife, and the film non-linearly intertwines his present grief with the joyous memories of their blossoming romance, exploring love's enduring echo.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33246838/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/super-happy-forever (UK), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/super-happy-forever (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/de/Film/super-happy-forever (Germany), https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/super-happy-forever (Spain)
Deep Dive: The Poetry of Everyday Life and the Weight of Absence
"Super Happy Forever" has already garnered significant critical attention and awards from its festival circuit, lauded for its unique structure and emotional depth.
Plot: The film opens with Sano, a man weighed down by sorrow and a pervasive sense of apathy, returning to the tranquil seaside resort of Izu, accompanied by his friend Miyata. This is the place where, five years prior, he first encountered and fell in love with his wife, Nagi, who has since tragically passed away. The present-day scenes portray Sano's quiet suffering as he aimlessly wanders, reflecting on his loss and embarking on a seemingly futile search for a red cap he once gave Nagi. Just as the present feels heavy with grief, the narrative subtly shifts. Through a clever use of non-linear storytelling, often marked by shifts in mood and a gradual reveal of its intentions, the film transports the audience back in time. We witness the serendipitous, quiet, and charming beginnings of Sano and Nagi's relationship. These flashbacks are not merely nostalgic; they gradually reveal the significance of small, seemingly mundane moments and objects that become vital totems in Sano's memory. The film explores the profound contrast between the joyful, open-minded young Sano falling in love and the grief-stricken man he has become. It's a study of human connection, the unpredictability of fate, and the difficult, non-linear process of grieving, emphasizing that past happiness still counts, even if fleeting. The narrative subtly weaves together memories and reality, exploring the "unseen tensions" and "negative spaces" of loss.
Characters & Cast:
Hiroki Sano as Sano: The protagonist, depicted in both his grieving present and his joyful past. His nuanced portrayal of apathy, longing, and tenderness is central to the film.
Yoshinori Miyata as Miyata: Sano's friend, who accompanies him on the present-day trip, offering support and a different perspective.
Nairu Yamamoto as Nagi: Sano's late wife, brought to life in the flashback sequences, her charisma and quirks essential to understanding their initial connection.
Hoang Nhu Quynh, Jamilli Correa: Also featured in the cast, contributing to the tapestry of characters in both timeframes.
Genre and Style: Primarily a Drama and Romance film, "Super Happy Forever" is also characterized by:
Non-Linear Narrative: Oscillates between present grief and past romance, creating a complex emotional tapestry.
Contemplative & Poetic: Features a quiet pace, relying on subtle cues, imagery, and the "poetry of everyday life."
Bittersweet Tone: Balances the joy of budding love with the sorrow of loss.
Atmospheric: The seaside town of Izu plays a significant role, reflecting the characters' internal states.
Handcrafted Feel: Critics describe it as a "remarkable piece of filmmaking, handcrafted by a director intent on working with the most raw and direct of emotions."
Transcendence of Genre: While rooted in drama/romance, it has elements that allow it to allude to or mix genres.
Director's Lens: Kohei Igarashi's Delicate Poetics of Time and Emotion
Kohei Igarashi is a Japanese director known for his meditative and emotionally resonant films. "Super Happy Forever" marks a significant work in his filmography, building on his established style.
Previous Works: Igarashi began filmmaking at 18. His filmography includes "Voice of Rain That Comes at Night" (2008), "Hold Your Breath Like a Lover" (2014, selected for Locarno), and "The Night I Swam" (2017, co-directed with Damien Manivel, premiered at Venice and San Sebastian). His short film "Two of Us" (2023) was also selected at San Sebastian.
Signature Style: Igarashi is celebrated for his subtle, quiet approach to filmmaking. He often explores the intricacies of human interaction, the impermanence of happiness, and the ways past and present intertwine. He is noted for his meticulous control over storytelling, focusing on raw emotions and transforming mundane details into profound elements. His work frequently blends memory and reality, and he has a preference for an "organic" filmmaking process. The film was "gorgeously shot on 35mm film," indicating an aesthetic preference for a tactile, cinematic look.
Personal Connection: The film is reportedly inspired by a real-life tragedy, channeling Igarashi's own emotions following the sudden death of a high school friend, adding a deeply personal layer to the narrative.
Central Themes: Grief & Mourning, The Nature of Memory, Love's Enduring Power, The Serendipity of Connection, and The Passage of Time
Grief & Mourning: The central emotional arc, exploring the non-linear, often solitary, process of recovering from profound loss.
The Nature of Memory: How past experiences, particularly happy ones, are replayed, re-evaluated, and provide solace or pain in the present.
Love's Enduring Power: The film suggests that happiness and connection, even if fleeting, retain their significance and impact.
The Serendipity of Connection: The seemingly coincidental meeting of Sano and Nagi highlights the unexpected beauty of human bonds.
The Passage of Time: Explored through the film's non-linear structure, showing how time transforms perspective and experience.
Why It Shines: A Tender, Artful Exploration of Loss and Love
Unique Narrative Structure: The non-linear storytelling effectively deepens the emotional impact, contrasting present sorrow with past joy.
Profound Emotional Resonance: Critics describe it as a "knockout in terms of cumulative impact" and "thoroughly moving," touching on universal experiences of love and grief.
Subtle and Poetic Direction: Kohei Igarashi's "delicate precision" and "melancholic ode" to life and death are highly praised.
Strong Festival Performance: Multiple awards (Grand Prix at Film Fest Gent, Golden Puffin at Reykjavík) and selections at major festivals (Venice, San Sebastian, Busan, Chicago) indicate significant critical acclaim.
Beautiful Cinematography: Shot on 35mm film, suggesting a visually rich and immersive experience.
Kohei Igarashi's 2024 film, Super Happy Forever, is a meditative and deeply melancholic Japanese-French co-production that explores themes of love, grief, and the elusive nature of time. The film centers on Sano (Hiroki Sano), who returns to a seaside resort in Izu, Japan, five years after he first met his late wife, Nagi (Nairu Yamamoto), there. Overwhelmed by grief, Sano attempts to reconcile with his past, seeking to understand and process the loss that still haunts him. The narrative ingeniously moves backward in time in its second half, showing the blossoming of Sano and Nagi's relationship, before returning to the somber present. This unconventional structure allows Igarashi to delicately balance memories with the harsh reality of absence, crafting a poetic rumination on the human condition.
Awards & Nominations: A Meditative Gem on the Festival Circuit
Super Happy Forever has earned significant critical acclaim and multiple awards on the international film festival circuit, solidifying Kohei Igarashi's reputation as a distinct and contemplative filmmaker.
Key accolades include:
Venice Film Festival (81st edition, 2024): Official Selection in the Giornate degli Autori (Directors' Award sidebar).
Ghent Film Festival (2024): Winner of the Grand Prix for Best Film.
Reykjavík International Film Festival (2024): Winner of the Golden Puffin in the New Visions competition (for first and second features).
San Sebastián International Film Festival (2024): Official Selection in the Zabaltegi-Tabakalera Prize competition.
Festival des 3 Continents (2024): Winner of the Montgolfière d'Argent.
Chicago International Film Festival (2024): Official Selection (nominated for Gold Hugo - Best Feature).
D'A Film Festival Barcelona (2025): Official Selection.
The film has also been an official selection at numerous other prestigious festivals, including Busan, Istanbul, Vancouver, São Paulo, Tallinn Black Nights, Thessaloniki, Cartagena, Hong Kong, Göteborg, and Lisbon & Estoril Film Festival, among others. This extensive list of awards and selections underscores the film's profound impact and widespread critical recognition.
Critics' Reception: Poetic Stillness and Emotional Depth
Critics have largely lauded Super Happy Forever for its unique meditative style, emotional depth, and its poignant exploration of grief and memory. They consistently praise Igarashi's subtle direction and the film's ability to evoke profound feeling through quiet moments.
Film Fest Report (Interview with Kohei Igarashi): This interview highlights the film as a "mystical cinematic revelation" and a "subtle exploration of love, grief, and time." Critics appreciate Igarashi's "signature meditative style," which offers a "cinematic experience that lingers long after the final frame." The film's reverse narrative structure is noted for creating a "profound stillness" where "every shot, every interaction carries weight," making it a "poignant reflection on love and loss." The interview emphasizes the film's "delicate balance of past and present," exploring "the fluid relationship between memory and presence."
Film Review Daily: This review describes Super Happy Forever as a "meditative piece which has its own style and is quite distinct from any current trends in today's cinema." It praises the film for its "atmospheric work" and how its "concern with love and loss invites viewers to identify with the emotions it explores." The review particularly commends Nairu Yamamoto's performance as Nagi, finding her "engaging in a very special way." While acknowledging its ambiguity, the film is seen as avoiding romantic clichés and commenting on the "relationship of couples."
International Cinephile Society (Venice 2024 review): This highly positive review calls Super Happy Forever a "remarkable piece of filmmaking, handcrafted by a director intent on working with the most raw and direct of emotions." It describes the film as a "simple but evocative drama about human connections" and "a masterful excursion into the mind of a complex protagonist." The review highlights the "poetry of everyday life and its unexpected peculiarities," noting that the film is a "tenderly funny and heartwarming character drama that carries a sense of lingering melancholy." The naturalistic performances and the film's "poetic existentialism" are also praised.
In Review Online: This review notes the film's structure, which "emphasizes loss before meeting," and its reliance on medium and long shots to "avoid sentimentality but also serves to obscure subjectivity." It praises how the film "transforms the mundane into something special" and how the director "doesn't guide the audience by the hand to make any conclusions," instead leaving viewers to "meditate on the nature of love and loss on our own terms."
Cineuropa: This source confirms the film's win of the Golden Puffin, calling it a "poetic meditation on grief, love and closure." It highlights the "extended flashback sequences blend memory with reality" and the "crackling chemistry between leads Hiroki Sano and Nairu Yamamoto" for creating a "beautiful ode to a love gained and lost."
Overall, critics are overwhelmingly impressed by Super Happy Forever. They laud Kohei Igarashi's distinctive directorial voice, characterized by a slow pace, stillness, and a profound focus on the subtle shifts in human emotion. The film's unconventional narrative structure, which interweaves past and present, is consistently praised for creating a deeply affecting and emotionally resonant exploration of love, loss, and the nature of memory. While its quiet, ambiguous nature may not appeal to all, critics recognize it as a masterful and poetic work of cinema.
Reviews: A Hauntingly Beautiful Journey Through Time and Loss
Audiences who connect with Super Happy Forever are likely to find it a profoundly moving and introspective experience, appreciating its unique narrative approach and the quiet power of its emotional exploration.
Emotional Resonance of Grief: Viewers who have experienced loss will likely find Sano's journey of grief deeply relatable. The film's depiction of how past memories intertwine with present sorrow, and the desperate yearning to reclaim what's lost, will strike a strong chord. The gradual revelation of Nagi's death, rather than a dramatic announcement, makes the grief feel more authentic and lingering.
Appreciation for Meditative Pace: Audiences who prefer contemplative and character-driven cinema will be drawn to the film's slow pace and meditative quality. The long takes and focus on everyday moments, which critics describe as "poetic," allow viewers to immerse themselves in the characters' internal worlds and the film's atmospheric setting. This deliberate pacing fosters a sense of reflection rather than fast-paced plot progression.
Impact of the Reverse Narrative: The film's unique structure, moving backward in time to reveal the blossoming of Sano and Nagi's love, is likely to be a significant talking point among viewers. This approach creates a bittersweet emotional arc, where the joy of their meeting is imbued with the knowledge of its tragic end, making the love story even more poignant.
Subtle Power of Performances: While the film is not driven by overt emotional outbursts, audiences will appreciate the nuanced and sincere performances of Hiroki Sano and Nairu Yamamoto. Their ability to convey deep emotion through subtle gestures and expressions will draw viewers into the characters' inner lives.
Ambiguity and Personal Interpretation: As critics noted, the film avoids spoon-feeding answers. This ambiguity invites audiences to bring their own interpretations to the narrative, particularly regarding the symbolic elements (like the red cap or the title itself). Viewers who enjoy films that encourage personal reflection and discussion will find this aspect engaging.
Overall, Super Happy Forever offers audiences a deeply immersive and emotionally rich experience. It's a film that resonates with those who appreciate quiet, reflective storytelling and who are willing to engage with profound themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Its unique structure and sensitive portrayal of grief make it a memorable and affecting cinematic journey.
Box Office Performance (Projected): Arthouse Success, Driven by Festival Buzz
As an acclaimed festival film from Japan and France, "Super Happy Forever" is not aiming for blockbuster commercial success but rather a strong performance within the arthouse circuit and on specialized streaming platforms.
Limited Theatrical Release: It will likely have limited theatrical releases in key art-house markets (e.g., Japan, France, North America, etc.) to capitalize on its festival prestige.
Digital/Streaming Focus: Its main distribution will likely be via curated streaming platforms (like MUBI, which highlighted it) and VOD, where it can reach its target audience.
Critical and Award-Driven: Its numerous awards and strong critical reviews will be the primary drivers for audience awareness and viewership.
French Release: Scheduled for July 16, 2025 in France, indicating a staggered international rollout.
Quebec Release: Scheduled for June 13, 2025.
Production Notes: A Japanese-French Collaborative Gem
Directed by: Kohei Igarashi
Written by: Kohei Igarashi, Koichi Kubodera
Main Cast: Hiroki Sano (Sano), Yoshinori Miyata (Miyata), Nairu Yamamoto (Nagi), Hoang Nhu Quynh, Jamilli Correa.
Genre: Drama, Romance, Narrative
Country of Origin: Japan, France (co-production)
Language: Japanese
Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes)
Cinematography: Wataru Takahashi (shot on 35mm film).
Editing by: Keiko Okawa, Kohei Igarashi, Damien Manivel.
Music by: Daigo Sakuragi.
Producers: Makoto Oki, Yusaku Emoto (Japanese producers), Martin Bertier, Damien Manivel (French co-producers).
Executive Producers: Kohei Igarashi, Satoshi Takata, Takashi Omatsu, Misaki Kawamura, Kenshi Otaka.
Production Companies: MLD FILMS (Japan), NOBO LLC (Japan), BAC Films (France - sales agent).
Production Company: International Collaboration for Artistic Vision
MLD FILMS and NOBO LLC (Japan), alongside French co-producers like BAC Films (also handling international sales), are the primary production entities behind "Super Happy Forever." This Japanese-French co-production highlights a commitment to fostering international artistic collaborations. These companies prioritize directors with unique visions like Kohei Igarashi, supporting films that are artistically driven and designed for the international festival circuit and arthouse distribution, rather than purely commercial appeal. Their involvement emphasizes a focus on handcrafted filmmaking and profound storytelling.
Sales & Distribution: Prestigious Festival Launch to Targeted Theatrical/Digital Release
International Sales Agent: BAC Films (France) is handling international sales.
Festival Strategy: Leveraged its selection at major international film festivals (Venice, San Sebastian, Busan, etc.) as a launchpad to build critical buzz and secure distribution deals worldwide. The numerous awards have significantly boosted its profile.
Distribution Model: A staggered release strategy, beginning with festival premieres, followed by limited theatrical runs in key markets, and eventually digital/VOD availability.
French Distributor: Survivance.
Quebec Distributor: Ritual Films (release on June 13, 2025).
Release Timeline: 2024 Festival Circuit, Staggered 2025 Global Release
Festival Premieres: Commenced in August 2024 (e.g., Venice, San Sebastian).
Japan Release Date: September 27, 2024.
Quebec Release Date: June 13, 2025.
French Release Date: July 16, 2025.
Other International Release Dates: Throughout 2025, contingent on distribution deals.
Why See It: Why See It: A Masterclass in Poetic Existentialism
If you are a fan of:
Thought-Provoking Dramas: Films that delve into complex emotions and the human condition.
Non-Linear Storytelling: You enjoy narratives that play with time and memory to deepen meaning.
Intimate Character Studies: Films that offer a profound look into a character's internal journey of grief and recovery.
Bittersweet Romances: You appreciate love stories that acknowledge both joy and sorrow.
Japanese and Art-House Cinema: You seek out films with a distinct artistic voice and a contemplative pace.
Why Watch: If You Crave Passion and Psychological Intrigue
Watch it if you're drawn to stories where:
Grief is explored with sensitivity and nuance: The film treats loss as a complex, personal journey rather than a simple plot device.
The power of memory is central: How past happiness can both haunt and sustain in the present.
A quiet pace allows for deep reflection: The film doesn't rush, inviting the audience to immerse themselves in its atmosphere.
Human connections are explored authentically: The film celebrates the serendipity of falling in love and the enduring nature of bonds.
You appreciate a "handcrafted" and poetic cinematic experience: The film's artistic direction and 35mm cinematography are key elements.
Movie Trend: The Art of Grief & Non-Linear Narratives in Arthouse Cinema
"Super Happy Forever" is a prime example of two significant trends in contemporary arthouse cinema. Firstly, it belongs to the growing wave of films that delicately and profoundly explore the multifaceted nature of grief and mourning, treating it as a central human experience rather than just a plot catalyst. Secondly, its masterful use of a non-linear narrative structure to intertwine past and present, memory and reality, is a key stylistic trend in independent and international cinema, allowing for deeper thematic exploration and a more complex emotional resonance.
Social Trend: Processing Loss and the Enduring Search for Meaning
The film deeply resonates with the pervasive social trend of individual and collective attempts to process loss and find meaning in a world increasingly grappling with unexpected tragedies. In a time where life's unpredictability is often highlighted, "Super Happy Forever"'s focus on a character navigating the sudden death of a loved one, and finding solace or understanding in past happinesses, speaks to a universal human desire to reconcile with grief and rediscover purpose. It reflects a societal need for narratives that validate complex emotional experiences and offer pathways, however serpentine, towards healing.
Final Conclusions: A Profoundly Moving Meditation on Love's Lingering Echo
"Super Happy Forever" (2024), directed by Kohei Igarashi, stands as an exquisitely crafted Japanese-French drama that offers a tender and profoundly moving exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of memory. Through its elegant non-linear narrative, the film masterfully weaves between Sano's present grief over his late wife, Nagi, and the serendipitous moments of their blossoming romance in a tranquil seaside town. Igarashi's direction is praised for its subtlety, poeticism, and the raw authenticity with which it portrays the arduous, often non-linear, journey of mourning. Adorned with numerous international festival awards and critical acclaim, "Super Happy Forever" is a testament to handcrafted filmmaking, transforming everyday moments and shared experiences into a bittersweet and deeply resonant meditation on the indelible mark of past happiness and the quiet strength found in navigating life after profound absence.
Recommendations for Filmmakers: The Art of Enduring Emotion and Narrative Ingenuity
Embrace Non-Linear Storytelling with Purpose: Filmmakers should recognize the profound potential of non-linear narratives, not as a gimmick, but as a tool to deepen emotional resonance and thematic complexity. "Super Happy Forever" masterfully intertwines present grief with past joy, allowing each timeline to illuminate the other and creating a "cumulative emotional impact." This approach enables a richer exploration of memory, loss, and the enduring nature of human connection.
Elevate the Mundane to the Profound: Focus on finding profound meaning in everyday moments and objects. "Super Happy Forever" demonstrates how seemingly "minor or unimportant" details – a red cap, a song, a shared glance – can become powerful symbols imbued with immense emotional significance. Filmmakers should cultivate an eye for the poetic in the ordinary, allowing subtle elements to carry significant thematic weight.
Cultivate a Meditative and Unhurried Pace: Resist the urge for constant narrative acceleration. Films like "Super Happy Forever" show that a contemplative, quiet pace can be incredibly effective in allowing an audience to immerse themselves in atmosphere and emotion. This deliberate pacing creates space for reflection, enabling viewers to fully engage with the characters' internal journeys and the deeper philosophical questions presented.
Recommendations for the Movie Industry: Championing Artistic Vision and Emotional Depth
Invest in Distinctive, Director-Driven Cinema: The industry should actively seek out and support filmmakers like Kohei Igarashi who possess a clear and unique artistic voice. "Super Happy Forever" is lauded for its "handcrafted" quality and Igarashi's "delicate precision," showcasing the power of a singular vision. Supporting such directors enriches the cinematic landscape with diverse storytelling and artistic integrity, attracting discerning audiences and critical acclaim.
Prioritize Films with Universal Emotional Resonance: While "Super Happy Forever" is a Japanese-French co-production with an art-house aesthetic, its core themes of love, loss, and memory are universally relatable. The industry should invest in films that, regardless of origin or style, tap into fundamental human experiences, as these often achieve significant critical success and find dedicated international audiences.
Support Collaborative International Productions: "Super Happy Forever" exemplifies the success of international co-productions, benefiting from diverse perspectives in both creative and post-production stages (e.g., sound and visual editing in France). The industry should continue to foster such collaborations, as they can lead to innovative aesthetics and a broader cultural appeal, enhancing the global reach and artistic quality of films.
Final Verdict: A Profoundly Moving Meditation on Love's Lingering Echo
"Super Happy Forever" (2024), directed by Kohei Igarashi, stands as an exquisitely crafted Japanese-French drama that offers a tender and profoundly moving exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of memory. Through its elegant non-linear narrative, the film masterfully weaves between Sano's present grief over his late wife, Nagi, and the serendipitous moments of their blossoming romance in a tranquil seaside town. Igarashi's direction is praised for its subtlety, poeticism, and the raw authenticity with which it portrays the arduous, often non-linear, journey of mourning. Adorned with numerous international festival awards and critical acclaim, "Super Happy Forever" is a testament to handcrafted filmmaking, transforming everyday moments and shared experiences into a bittersweet and deeply resonant meditation on the indelible mark of past happiness and the quiet strength found in navigating life after profound absence.