In Last Shadow at First Light, haunted by recurring apparitions and a natural disaster, sixteen-year-old Ami (Mihaya Shirata) embarks on a supernatural journey from Singapore to Japan in search of her mother, who went missing during the devastating 2011 Tohoku tsunami.
Upon her arrival in Tokyo, she meets Isamu (Masatoshi Nagase), her cynical taxi-driving uncle. He becomes her reluctant guide through the ravaged landscape and her family’s dark past.
Set against the tsunami’s aftermath backdrop, Last Shadow at First Light is a poignant and haunting exploration of survivors’ trauma. Shot in Rikuzentakata, nearly wiped out by the disaster, it offers a haunting glimpse into the tragedy’s lingering effects.
The Tohoku tsunami struck on March 11, 2011, following an earthquake in the Pacific Ocean. Over 16,000 people lost their lives as up to 130 feet tall waves hit land, wiping out whole towns and villages. Sadly, many bodies were never recovered, leaving families without closure. Over 300,000 people were displaced after their homes were destroyed. The tsunami also caused the infamous Fukushima Nuclear plant disaster, whose effects are still a problem to this day.
Writer/director Nicole Midori Woodford‘s feature film debut premiered at the San Sebastian Film Festival, where it was nominated for the New Director’s Award. The film’s powerful performances and evocative cinematography have garnered praise from critics.
Last Shadow at First Light will make its North American premiere on VOD from IndiePix on September 20, 2024. You can expect gripping and emotion-filled film.
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