Director: Kazuhiro YAMAMOTO

Producer: Shachi OKAMOTO
Cast: Lily Franky (Voice Over Narration)

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Genre: Documentary

Theatrical Release in Japan: Spring 2025
[2025 / Color / HD / 16:9 / Stereoch / 95 min. / Japanese with English subtitles]

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[Tagline]

Having lost her husband early on, 104-year-old Tetsuyo-san lives each day joyfully and positively, even though there are things she can no longer do as she ages.

 

[Synopsis]

In a house nestled in the lush mountains of Onomichi, lives 100-year-old Tetsuyo Ishii, who lives alone. In her younger days, she worked as an elementary school teacher. After losing her husband at the age of 83, she has been living with the support of her niece and neighbors. Despite the increasing challenges that come with age, Tetsuyo skillfully encourages herself and adapts her lifestyle with a free spirit. This documentary captures her daily life from the age of 101 to 104, offering insights into how to live joyfully in old age.

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[Director Statements]

In Japan, about 20% of people say they want to live to be 100 years old. But the movie teaches us that living a long life isn't so bad, as shown by Tetsuyo.
Watching Tetsuyo's life, we see that there are experiences and lessons that can only be gained by growing older. Additionally, living a long life can lead to unexpected happiness, as shown by the miraculous encounters in the movie.
“When Tetsuyo laughs, everyone laughs.” This was the backbone of the movie. There's a scene I've seen over 100 times, but I still laugh every time. In the theater, laughter echoes, and smiles spread, leaving the audience more vibrant than before they watched the movie. Tetsuyo's smile and voice radiate the strength of having lived 100 years. After the film's release, even those who are visually impaired came to the theater. When asked why, they said they gained strength from Ms. Tetsuyo's voice. In the midst of the pandemic, we had almost forgotten how to laugh out loud. I hope everyone will laugh alongside the 104-year-old at the theater.