Two Friends, A Play, And The Quiet Space Between Them

Two childhood friends who drifted apart after a camping incident are forced to confront their silence in the drama club they share. The new film Between Us, directed by Matsumura Shingo, centers on this emotional distance rather than loud conflict. It is currently screening in the Nippon Cinema Now section of the Tokyo International Film Festival, a program dedicated to Japanese cinema.

The story follows Makoto and Kasumi, played by Kurasawa Anna and Kawashima Ririka. They reunite six years after their separation to participate in their high school drama club. The cast also includes Kikuchi Akiko, Usuda Asami, Saito Yoichiro, and Miura Takahiro. The script relies on patient observation, allowing the camera to absorb what the characters withhold. This approach contrasts with the fast-paced editing common in modern digital video.

Matsumura has established a personal rule against using handheld camerawork. He believes that the proliferation of compact cameras and social media footage has changed audience expectations. He wants the experience of the big screen to feel distinct from the content viewed on YouTube. His goal is to capture actor emotions slowly and truthfully, a method that defines his previous work, such as The Lump in My Heart from 2023.

The film translates emotional separation into physical space. Even when Makoto and Kasumi are in the same room, the blocking keeps them far apart. Matsumura focuses on their eyes to show that they remain aware of each other despite the distance. The narrative tension lies in their inability to acknowledge the other's presence directly. This visual strategy replaces dialogue with spatial awareness.

A key editing choice brings the characters closer without them sharing a physical space. The film intercuts their separate rehearsals of a script, treating their lines as if they are in a direct conversation. This technique suggests that the fictional play allows them to speak what they cannot say in reality. The script itself, which gives the film its title, serves as the bridge for their mending relationship.

The inspiration for the film stems from a series of global events. Matsumura cites the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the subsequent pandemic, and ongoing wars as catalysts. He describes a period in his life when he felt human connection was impossible. He wanted to create a simple film about two people facing one another, exploring the energy generated by that basic interaction.

While the plot is not literal about these events, the theme of unresolved trauma connects them to the characters. Matsumura notes that society often treats news events as solved once they leave the headlines. He argues that issues like the earthquake and the nuclear power plant remain unresolved in reality. This persistence of unaddressed pain mirrors the dynamic between Makoto and Kasumi.

Matsumura gave his leads minimal direction, relying on their natural ability to listen and absorb their partners' words. He describes this as a common trait among his actresses, one that allows them to make the material their own. This naturalistic performance style contrasts with the director's highly organized visual approach. The result is a film that feels both structured and spontaneous.

The production reflects the constraints of Japanese filmmaking. Matsumura notes that budgets are significantly lower than in the United States, limiting the scale of what can be portrayed. This financial reality pushes directors to focus on small, accessible subjects rather than grand narratives. He states that there is no single mainstream style in current Japanese cinema, but a variety of distinct, smaller perspectives.

Matsumura is now at a professional crossroads. He must decide whether to continue making artistic films that express his internal world or to create work aimed at a mass audience. He acknowledges that the latter requires facing society rather than just himself. He says he does not yet know which path he will take. The film continues its run in the festival lineup, showcasing one of these distinct, small-scale approaches.