Sayonara, Girls.

2023

Two days until the graduation at a rural high school that is to be demolished, four students process their final moments before they transition to adulthood with a mix of regrets, anxieties, and hopes. Shun Nakagawa’s poignant feature debut, starring an impressive cast of young actresses, is an honest homage to the delicate, bittersweet moments of youth that will inevitably fade over time.
( 120 min. )
Available in North America, Europe, and Oceania

▷About the Filmmaker - Learn more about the director Shun Nakagawa

▷Send Message to the Filmmaker - Share your thoughts of the film!

Director

Shun Nakagawa

Cast

Yuumi Kawai, Airu Kubozuka, Kisetsu Fujiwara, Rina Ono, Rina Komiyama, Tomo Nakai

Language

Japanese with English subtitles

Director's Note

I made this film with the feeling that the event of “graduation”, in which a person is forcibly expelled from the world they have lived in, regardless of one's own intentions, with no possibility of returning once departed, parallels the concept of “death” in some ways. In the film, the girls grow into adulthood as they struggle and come to accept what is hard to accept. I believe the narrative transcends a mere high school story and prompts reflection on how each of us will live in the moment as we all move toward the “end of life” that will eventually come to all of us. I hope you enjoy it.

Tokyo international Film Festival

Beijing International Film Festival

Nippon Connection

Japan Cuts

Bonus Content

DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY "Sayonara, Girls." [Exclusively available with rental/purchase]

10m

Director Shun Nakagawa shares what thematically drew him to the original novel and how he highlighted it in the film so it’s not “just another high school story”.

Special Collaboration MV [Exclusively available with rental/purchase]

Special Full Music Video of “Footsteps and Faded Shadow” by KATAMIMI NI KARASUMUGI who plays one of the bands playing at post-graduation music showcase. Edited with exclusive behind-the-scene stills and footage from SAYONARA, GIRLS. production. With English subtitles on the lyrics.

Accessibility Links