Yoshitoshi Shinomiya’s animated feature film ‘A New Dawn’ is set to make its world premiere at the Berlinale, competing in the main competition. This Japanese-French co-production weaves a coming-of-age story through the lens of traditional fireworks craftsmanship and contemporary environmental challenges. The film is co-produced by France’s Studio Miyu and distributed by Charades.
‘A New Dawn’ revolves around three childhood friends growing up near a fireworks factory, facing the imminent loss of their home and family legacy due to urban development plans. The story is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and explores themes such as family heritage, childhood bonds, and the intersection of nature and progress.
Trained as a painter in traditional Japanese methods, Shinomiya brings his artistic background into animation. His prior collaborations include notable projects like Makoto Shinkai’s “Your Name” and Sunao Katabuchi’s “In This Corner of the World.” “I wasn’t sure the film would be completed in time,” Shinomiya said, expressing gratitude for presenting the film at such a prestigious international festival. He noted the rarity of animated features being selected for Berlinale’s main competition, highlighting the last occurrence with Liu Jian’s Chinese film “Art College 1994” in 2023.
The film’s production involved a small team of artists and is notable for being a Japanese-French animation co-production. The collaboration between the Japanese and French teams, especially with Studio Miyu handling stop-motion sequences, brought together differing animation styles and cultural insights. Shinomiya remarked on the French team’s profound understanding of Japanese culture, which enhanced the authenticity of the characters and story.
The narrative draws on Shinomiya’s own experiences growing up in Kanagawa Prefecture, where traditional fireworks festivals and local landscapes underwent significant changes. Reflecting on his family’s lost heritage, he chose to tell this story as a father himself, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditions amid environmental and community shifts.
Voiced by Riku Hagiwara, Kotone Furukawa, and Miyu Irino, the three main characters exhibit dynamic interactions under Shinomiya’s direction, marking his debut in voice actor direction. The animation style maintains simplicity in character design—utilizing clean lines and colors to foster universal emotional connection—while featuring detailed, lush backgrounds inspired by traditional East Asian art.
The film incorporates a symbolic central motif: the “Shuhari” firework, representing growth and the cycle of life and death. This allegory parallels the characters’ journeys as they protect, break away, and transcend their circumstances, symbolizing broader societal changes impacting small towns and their inhabitants.
Shinomiya, who holds a doctorate in Japanese painting, blends various artistic techniques, viewing his animation as a composite painting. This approach allows for a unique visual style that combines tradition with contemporary expression.
‘A New Dawn’ offers a reflective portrayal of cultural preservation and environmental concerns within a visually poetic animated format, marking a significant contribution to international animation showcased at the Berlinale.