never leave

[Synopsis]
Tomoka (17) stops going to school after being bullied for no clear reason.
She starts a part-time job at a publishing company.
Soon, strange things begin to happen to her boss, such as a hit-and-run attempt.
As Tomoka works there, she moves her “youth” from school to the workplace.
She clashes with adults, grows step by step, and finds her own way.

I made this film using everything I had at the time, including my money.
Looking back, the script and many other parts feel rough, and I feel sorry to everyone who helped.
Even so, the film was shown at several festivals, and I am very grateful.
The story is set in a web media company, and six months after filming, I also changed jobs and joined a similar company.
I still like the idea of a high school student leaving school and starting to work.
To me, a workplace feels freer than school.

Screening
Dec 2020 — Fukuoka Independent Film Festival
Feb 2023 — Tokyo Independent Film Festival (On-demand)

Main Cast
YAMASHIRO Makoto, NUNOKAWA Manami, YANAGISAWA Nana, SUZUKI Yukikazu, KUROSAKI Junya, FUCHINO Miyu, YUKAWA Ayako
Main Crew
Cinematography: KAWAMOTO Yosuke, Lighting: NAGAHARA Daiyu, Assistant Director: ABE Tomoko
Producers
HASE Masayuki, OHARA Seiji
Music
JD AZUMAI and others