秘密基地建造指南 ひみつきちのつくりかた

When 50-year-old Kenichi and his childhood friends reunite at the funeral of their classmate, they decide to bring a long-forgotten dream back to life—the “secret base construction plan” they’d drawn up as kids. They have just six days that summer to build their hideout without cars, electric tools or smartphones. Rediscovering the spirit of their youth, the men throw themselves into the challenge with all their hearts. Still, they are unable to escape the struggles they face as adults. They clash, they talk, and they reconnect with one another, immersing themselves in a cocktail of laughter and sorrow, leaving viewers with a lingering sense of warmth inside their hearts. The characters are vibrant, and the humorous exchanges between the former classmates are tinged with bitterness.

A coming-of-age drama for those navigating midlife, this is the first feature-length film by Tomoya Itabashi who also directed the short film THAT MOTHER (20), which received multiple awards at various film festivals. This screening marks its world premiere.