Kyu-Karuizawa, within Karuizawa, is an area that has long accumulated history and culture. In this work, the deep flow of time that runs through the land is portrayed through the play of light and the subtle movements of nature. By capturing the delicate expressions of light created by the forest—light filtering through the trees, shadows of leaves swaying in the wind, reflections on the water’s surface—we have made visible the gentle passage of time that flows through this place. Filming was also carried out throughout the year, and by layering the changing light and natural expressions of each season, we woven into the footage the depth of time held by Kyu-Karuizawa. Through sound design that carefully layers natural sounds such as the forest wind, birdsong, and flowing water, the work creates an immersive feeling, as if one were standing within the forest.

A drama centered on the encounter between a woman who once gave up her child and a young girl who brought life into the world through surrogacy, portraying a relationship that cannot be reduced to blood ties or systems. Through night streets and the repetitive landscapes of everyday life, it carefully traces the shifts in the time and distance the two share, bringing to light the ambiguity inherent in the concepts of “motherhood” and “family.” This work looks at the possibility of people who carry both choice and loss still continuing to live on. Starring: Mami Shibuya, Yume Takamura. Screenplay: Kisa Ito. Responsible for planning, direction, and editing.