Riku Kurokouchi

State of Emergency

An omnibus film consisting of 4 short films and a documentary related to COVID-19.

The Blue Danube

The soldiers no longer know why they are at war, and when it even started. Daily and dutifully they march to the river and shoot at the opposite village from 9 to 5 – orders are orders after all. They’ve done so for decades. When private Tsuyuki is transferred to the marching band, people keep asking him what use music is in times of war.

Red Post on Escher Street

Drafted to shoot a new film, Tadashi Kobayashi, a director with festival marketability, is strong-armed by the studio into hiring two famous actresses as leads. The cast of self-unaware weirdos that constitute the budding players become increasingly overwhelmed and emboldened until they stage their own micro-revolution.

Takano Tofu

Tatsuo and his daughter Haru run Takano Tofu Store in Onomichi. They begin their work before dawn every day. They carefully select beans to make their tofu. While they have peaceful days, Tatsuo worries about his daughter being alone after his death.

Ichikei's Crow The Movie

The Lonely 19:00

A new and more contagious virus emerged after COVID-19 and forced Japan to live an even more severe self-restraint. During the time of COVID-19 it was necessary to maintain a social distance of 2 meters, with this new ferocious virus the distance had to be of at least 50 meters. Otomi was born inside his house and has never been outside. One day he hears a strange noise and leaves the house for the first time in his life.