[Chupki's Recommendation] COVID-19 Pandemic x Relocation to the Countryside: 'Sunset Sunrise'
I want to introduce the films we're showing a bit more concretely, recommend them, and give a little push to those who are hesitant about watching. With that in mind, I've been updating [Chupki's Recommendation] irregularly. Hello, I'm Ikeda, a person from Cinema Chupki Tabata.
The film I'd like to "recommend" this time is "Sunset Sunrise", which will be showing starting Saturday, May 17th. Although it was released four months ago, it was highly rated on review sites and elsewhere, so there might be quite a few people who missed it. At Chupki, we held a staff screening just before the run began. Everyone was saying, "It's a great movie!" and "It was interesting!", so I'm recommending it on their behalf.
The setting is a port town in Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture. Nishio (Masaki Suda), a salaryman who loves fishing, moves here from Tokyo for a "trial relocation," lured by an exceptional property: "4LDK for 60,000 yen a month." This property was put up by Momoka (Mao Inoue), an official at the town office in charge of the vacant house problem, starting with her own home. Originally, this would be a happy ending, but the problem is the timing of when this "person from Tokyo" arrived in the "countryside." February 2020. Yes, it was exactly when the threat of the novel coronavirus began to throw the whole world into chaos.
So, one of the big highlights of "Sunset Sunrise" is all the things that bring back fading memories of the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been works that included depictions of the pandemic since it was in full swing, but seeing it again in 2025 brings back even more memories. Things like being told "I didn't know you had that kind of face" when you took off your mask to eat, or how there was always one person whose screen would freeze during online drinking parties, among many other little gestures. Memories were revived with more fine detail than ever before.
The reactions of the townspeople who "encountered" Nishio, a "person from Tokyo," are depicted in a slapstick manner, especially in the beginning, but it's not overacting; it makes you nod while feeling a bit nostalgic, thinking, "Yeah, that's actually how it was." In another 10 years, there will likely be more generations who won't quite grasp these depictions. I want to leave a record that those COVID-19 pandemic depictions in "Sunset Sunrise" weren't a joke or anything—it was really like that.
In addition, this film weaves in the earthquake disaster that we cannot avoid talking about, the problem of vacant houses due to depopulation, the difference between "people born" in that land and "people not born" there, and the "shape of family," all while maintaining a balance as entertainment for a full 139 minutes. It is truly a Kudo-kan script.
Another highlight is the delicious-looking seafood that appears over and over again. At Chupki, the screening time is a tricky 15:40, but let me warn you: if you watch it on an empty stomach, it will be a disaster. I recommend having something to eat before you come. Also, since it will be dinner time when the movie ends, shops in the shopping street like "Shunsai Kitchen Mitonai" or "Dining Bar Gajumaru" might suit your palate.
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Screenings of "Sunset Sunrise" will be for about two weeks from Saturday, May 17th to Friday, May 30th, and the time is fixed every day at 15:40 (until 18:04). Please note that there will be no screenings on Wednesdays as it is our regular holiday.
Cinema Chupki Tabata is a very small movie theater with [20 seats] located in a shopping street, about a 7-minute walk from Tabata Station on the JR Yamanote Line and Keihin-Tohoku Line. Priority is given to those with reservations, so it is best to book in advance. In addition to online reservations, we also accept them by phone, fax, etc. Please refer to the link below for details.
Also, our theater provides "Japanese subtitles" and "earphone audio guides" for all films. "Sunset Sunrise" is a work that features a lot of strong Tohoku dialects. Subtitles make it easy to understand! The audio guide can be heard through free rental earphones, and it is also compatible with the "HELLO! MOVIE" app.
We look forward to seeing you at the cinema!
This was staff member Ikeda.