YIDFF Network Special Screening
The YIDFF Network is a volunteer group brought together for the inaugural YIDFF in 1989 at the initiative of filmmaker Ogawa Shinsuke. Its wide range of activities includes organizing Friday Theater, a series of screenings for the general public, and the editing and publishing of the Daily Bulletin. The YIDFF Network Special Screenings at each festival feature films reflecting the volunteers’ own perspectives.
Start Line
- JAPAN / 2016 / Japanese / Color / Blu-ray / 112 min
Director: Imamura Ayako
Photography: Hotta Tetsuo
Supervisor: Yamada Shinichi
Editing Assistance: Koike Hanae
Music: Yatomi Matahachi
Sound Design: Saito Hajime
Sound Editor: Sawada Hiroki
Supported by: Regard
Producer, Source: Studio AYA www.studioaya.com
Director Imamura Ayako, born deaf, embarked on a journey from Okinawa to Hokkaido by bicycle. This film is a record of her fifty-seven-day journey. Though she felt depressed due to the communication barrier and shed tears, she nonetheless continued to race forward. On the way, she had encouragement from her cameraman, Tetsu, and encountered Will, a traveler who lost his hearing. Just as the director received courage from others, hopefully this story helps people all over Japan to do what they want.
[Director’s Statement] I am extremely elated to have my work screened at the world-renowned YIDFF. At the same time, I feel a bit embarrassed as I originally had no intention of showing the unsightly side of me publicly—now, a great deal it will be exposed. I will be satisfied if watching this work encourages you to start thinking about where your “start line” is. I look forward to meeting you in Yamagata.
Imamura Ayako
Born in Nagoya and graduated from the Aichi University of Education. During her time as a university student, she studied abroad at California State University, Northridge and studied film production. She runs Studio AYA. Her works include Coffee and Pencil (2011), The Connecting Bridge (2013), and Start Line (2016). She is currently working on To 11 Year Old You—Various Kinds of Love, about LGBT people who are deaf or have impaired hearing.
Interview