Exclusive Trailer Unveils The Friends, Reviving Shinji Sōmai’s Coming-of-Age Journey

      Cinema Guild's release of the restorations of Shinji Sōmai is one of the noteworthy endeavors in contemporary cinema. Following the premiere of Love Hotel, they are set to present The Friends in theaters, starting at New York's Film at Lincoln Center on August 22. You may fall into one of two categories: you’ve either never watched Sōmai's 1994 film or have only seen it through an unofficial copy with fan-made subtitles. Even by the director's own standards, it remains a lesser-known work. The new trailer, which we are excited to unveil, suggests a significant experience for both newcomers and fans.

      Here’s a brief overview: “A subtle treasure from one of Japan’s most esteemed filmmakers, The Friends showcases the late Shinji Sōmai (Typhoon Club, Moving) at his most gentle and unembellished. This poetic coming-of-age story, newly restored in 4K, follows three inquisitive boys during one summer as they observe a reclusive elderly man rumored to be on his deathbed––only to develop an unanticipated friendship that softly leads them toward compassion, loss, and the gradual end of childhood. Sōmai’s hallmark long takes and sun-drenched visuals beautifully capture the rhythms of youth with a patient, poetic clarity, resonating especially as summer draws to a close. A transformative rediscovery and a fitting companion to Moving––whose revival at FLC last year introduced Sōmai’s unique vision to a new audience––The Friends reinforces his impact on modern directors like Hirokazu Kore-eda, who described him as a 'filmmaker who captured adolescence like no other.'”

      Check out the preview below: