Japanese filmmaker Ishikawa Hiroshi — the quiet, observant voice behind “Tokyo.sora,” “Su-ki-da.” and “Petal Dance” — is back. His new feature “the blue we touch” (original title “Awo no Jo”) marks his first film in 13 years, and it is already generating buzz ahead of the Tokyo International Film Festival’s TIFFCOM market.
“the blue we touch” ensemble cast (Credits: Variety)
What the film is about
The ensemble drama centers on a pair of former friends and traces the hard-to-name feelings that drift between people — classic Ishikawa territory. Nao heads the cast as Mitsu, 29, a contract web designer navigating the fragile connections of adult life.
For a director whose work has always lingered in the quiet spaces between people, 13 years is a long silence. Ishikawa’s return feels less like a comeback bid and more like a filmmaker who simply waited until he had something worth saying.
When and how it arrives
The film is currently in post-production and will be released in Japan in 2027 by Bitters End, which unveiled the project ahead of TIFFCOM. No wider release plans have been announced yet, but Ishikawa’s films have historically traveled well on the festival circuit.
Given the pedigree — and the sheer length of the hiatus — “the blue we touch” is shaping up as one of 2027’s most anticipated Japanese art-house releases. Watch this space.
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Source: Variety — read the full story there.
