Introduction

A new rendition of a classic, retold by director Hirokazu Kore-eda and actress Haruka Ayase

The fading memories of war are passed down through voice and story.

Originally aired in 1969 on Hiroshima Television, Ishibumi featured the legendary actress SUGIMURA Haruko as narrator. The program moved audiences across Japan and received prestigious awards, including the Arts Festival Excellence Award and the Galaxy Award.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, this timeless work was brought back to life for a new generation.

This modern adaptation is directed by KORE-EDA Hirokazu, known worldwide for his Cannes Jury Prize–winning film Like Father, Like Son. The narrator is AYASE Haruka, a Hiroshima native and acclaimed actress who reunites with Kore-eda following their collaboration on Our Little Sister. In Ishibumi, Ayase gives a quietly powerful reading of personal letters and family accounts written by those who lost their loved ones in the bombing.

The stage design was created by HORIO Yukio, a renowned set designer known for his work with leading Japanese theater directors such as INOUE Hidenori, NODA Hideki, and MITANI Koki. His evocative staging enhances the intimacy of the reading.

The film also includes interviews by journalist IKEGAMI Akira, who revisits the families and individuals connected to the original testimonies. Even seventy years later, their stories continue to resonate.