Alone Together

“Alone Together” will be screened with English subtitles in all theaters.
We hope you come out and see it on the big screen.
And please let us know what you think of the film.
From the staff and cast, we thank you!

【ABOUT “ALONE TOGETHER”】

Introduction

Is it a documentary? Is it acting? "Alone Together" is an ensemble piece that captures the struggle under COVID and expresses the hope and determination to survive no matter what is thrown our way.

Story

All of those involved with “Alone Together” were hit hard by the lockdown brought about by the COVID disaster. Film productions, auditions, movie openings...so much was lost at this time. Battles with depression, peer pressure, the struggle to find the light at the end of the tunnel - and whether making a film of hope was even justified... Cameramen, editors, musicians, sound designers, the director... Those who participated in the production of “Alone Together” reached into the darkest parts of their hearts at one of the worst moments of their lives to create a story about the dawn of a new day.

Directorʼs Statement

In April 2020, Japan entered a state of emergency and was placed on lockdown. I felt as if an entire fault line had shifted, that something I had taken for granted and never paid attention to had suddenly made itself known. On my 51st birthday, as I sat on my balcony, the cry of someone pierced the dawn air. At that moment, I decided to record what I was feeling during the COVID disaster before it was lost. So, by gathering a group of actors, we sought to discover not only the impact of the situation but how it affected the Japanese culturally. Slowly, it became a process of "reaffirming the existence of human beings.” If our film reaches you, it is proof that you yourself are still alive. - Yukiko Mishima

Director: Yukiko MISHIMA

Born in Osaka, Yukiko MISHIMA was named by her father who liked Yukio MISHIMA's novels. She started making films at 18 and joined NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) after graduating from university. She has produced and directed several documentaries, including NHK Specials and ETV Specials. In 2003, she became an independent filmmaker making dramatic films and worked as an assistant director at Toei Kyoto Movie Studio. Around this time she took a summer workshop at “The Herbert Berghof Studio of New York.” Her directorial work, “Dear Etranger” (2017), won the Jury's Special Grand Prize at the 41st Montreal World Film Festival, the 41st Yamaji Fumiko Award for Best Picture, and the 42nd Hochi Film Award for Best Director. The film was screened in Korea, Taiwan, New York, Belgium, England, Hong Kong, etc. Other films by Mishima include "Bread of Happiness" (2012) (also published as a novel in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea), "A Stitch of Life" (2015), "Night's Tightrope" (2016), and "Shape of Red" (2020). All her films have been released in Korea and Taiwan. "Shape of Red," which depicts a woman making her own choices in life by incorporating the worries of modern women into her romance, was released in Korea and Taiwan, and in France under the title "The Housewife” (ART HOUSE).

＜Filmography＞
The Tattooer (2009) Director
Bread of Happiness (2012) Screenplay & Director
A Drop of the Grapevine (2014) Screenplay & Director
A Stich of Life (2015) Director
The Spiral Staircase (2015) Short film・Screenplay & Director
Night's Tightrope (2016) Screenplay & Director
Dear Etranger (2017) Director
The Antique (2018) Director
Shape of Red (2020) Screenplay & Director
Ode to Joy (2021) Short film・Screenplay & Director
IMPERIAL (2022) Short film・Screenplay & Director
Alone Together (2023) Director

Yukiko MISHIMA

Creators

The 20 creators who worked with director Yukiko Mishima on this film.

20 creators

Staff

Cinematography
Cast & Takahiro IMAI
Kai YAMAGUCHI

Editor
Hitomi KATO
Mizuki KITANI

Music
Takuto TANAKA

Sound Design
Tomoharu URATA
Tomoko OTSUKA

English subtitle translator
Norman ENGLAND

Director
Yukiko MISHIMA