Midnight Swan
2020 Japanese drama film
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Midnight Swan (ミッドナイトスワン, Middonaito Suwan) is a 2020 Japanese drama film directed by Eiji Uchida, who also wrote the screenplay.[1] It received nine nominations at the 44th Japan Academy Film Prize, including Director of the Year and Screenplay of the Year, winning for Picture of the Year, Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, and Newcomer of the Year.[2][3]
| Midnight Swan | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Kanji | ミッドナイトスワン |
| Revised Hepburn | Middonaito Suwan |
| Directed by | Eiji Uchida |
| Screenplay by | Eiji Uchida |
| Story by | Eiji Uchida |
| Produced by | Takeshi Moriya |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Maki Ito |
| Edited by | Yuichi Iwakiri |
| Music by | Keiichiro Shibuya |
Production company | Culen |
| Distributed by | Kino Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 124 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
Plot
Nagisa is a transgender woman. Growing up as a man in Hiroshima, Nagisa faces prejudice and is ostracized by society. She leaves Hiroshima and lives in Tokyo where she works as a dancer in a nightclub. Her distant niece, Ichika, is a middle school student neglected by her mother. After being kicked out of her home, Ichika travels to Tokyo and starts living with Nagisa. Although initially reluctant, Nagisa takes Ichika in and eventually starts to care for the shy, isolated child. In return, Ichika slowly starts to open up, helped in part by her love of ballet.
Cast
- Tsuyoshi Kusanagi as Nagisa[4]
- Misaki Hattori as Sakurada Ichika
- Asami Mizukawa as Saori Sakurada
- Tomorowo Taguchi as Mama Yoko
- Sei Matobu as Mika Katahira
- Shunsuke Tanaka as Nagisa's colleague
- Kaito Yoshimura as Nagisa's colleague
- Reo Sanada as Nagisa's colleague
- Rinka Ueno as Rin
- Eriko Sato as Rin's mother
- Yusuke Hirayama as Rin's father
- Toshie Negishi as Nagisa's mother
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 5 critics' reviews are positive.
Writing for The Japan Times, Mark Schilling gave the movie a positive review, calling it "a gloomy drama, with moments of realism and grace".[5] Matthew Hernon of the same publication praised the portrayal of transgender issues and individualism through dance.[1]
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 45th Hochi Film Award | Best New Actor | Misaki Hattori | Won | [6] |
| Best Actor | Tsuyoshi Kusanagi | Nominated | [7] | ||
| Nikkan Sports Film Award | Best Newcomer | Misaki Hattori | Won | [8] | |
| Best Actor | Tsuyoshi Kusanagi | Nominated | [9] | ||
| 2021 | 63rd Blue Ribbon Awards | Best Actor | Tsuyoshi Kusanagi | Won | [10] |
| Best Director | Eiji Uchida | Nominated | [11] | ||
| Best Newcomer | Misaki Hattori | Nominated | |||
| Best Picture | Midnight Swan | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Asami Mizukawa and Sei Matobu | Nominated | |||
| 44th Japan Academy Film Prize | Newcomer of the Year | Misaki Hattori | Won | [3] | |
| Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role | Tsuyoshi Kusanagi | Won | |||
| Picture of the Year | Midnight Swan | Won | |||
| Director of the Year | Eiji Uchida | Nominated | [12] | ||
| Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction | Hiroyuki Agatsuma | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography | Maki Ito | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction | Shingo Inoue | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Achievement in Sound Recording | Hironori Ito | Nominated | |||
| Screenplay of the Year | Eiji Uchida | Nominated | |||
| 30th Japanese Movie Critics Awards | Best Newcomer | Misaki Hattori | Won | [13] | |
| Best Music | Keiichiro Shibuya | Nominated | |||
| 75th Mainichi Film Awards | Best Music | Keiichiro Shibuya | Won | [14] | |
| Best Actor | Tsuyoshi Kusanagi | Nominated | [15][16] | ||
| Best Newcomer | Misaki Hattori | Nominated | |||
| 23rd Far East Film Festival | Golden Mulberry Award (Gelso d'Oro) | Midnight Swan | Won | [17] | |