Kyrie
Directed byShunji Iwai
Screenplay byShunji Iwai
Based onKyrie's Song
by Shunji Iwai
Starring
CinematographyChigi Kanbe
Edited byShunji Iwai
Music byTakeshi Kobayashi
Distributed byToei
Release dates
  • October 5, 2023 (2023-October-05) (Busan)
  • October 13, 2023 (2023-October-13) (Japan)
Running time
178 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Kyrie (キリエのうた, Kirie no Uta, "Kyrie's Song") is a 2023 Japanese film written, directed, and edited by Shunji Iwai, based on his novel of the same name. It follows a homeless and near-mute street musician. The film stars Aina the End, Hokuto Matsumura, Haru Kuroki, and Suzu Hirose. It premiered at the 28th Busan International Film Festival, on October 5, 2023. The film was released in Japan on October 13, 2023.

Plot

The film follows four characters over 13 years. Luca, calling herself Kyrie after a 2011 tragedy, is only able to speak in a whisper unless singing. In the present day, she is homeless, busking to make ends meet, and reunites with a childhood friend, Ikko, who becomes her manager.

Cast

Release

Kyrie premiered at the 28th Busan International Film Festival,[1] screening three times between October 5–10, 2023.[2] The film was released in Japan on October 13, 2023.[3]

Reception

Critics have praised the use of songs in the film, but have criticized its editing. Mark Schilling of The Japan Times noted that enjoyment of the film would depend on the audience's attitude towards the ballads Aina the End sings. Schilling concludes that Iwai's directing follows a vision that contains "swirling visual energy and beauty uniquely his own", but does so at the expense of logic or realism.[3] James Marsh of the South China Morning Post said that the theatrical version of the film being an hour shorter than the three-hour version played at festivals made it feel like large gaps in backstory were missing. Marsh also found the film's mixed chronology, as well as Aina's dual roles, to be confusing. While the film's songs were short, Marsh felt them to be a good showcase for Aina's husky vocals. Marsh concludes that the film is a "fragmented and frustrating experience".[4] Wendy Ide of Screen Daily complimented Aina's singing, but did not find her acting to be convincing.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Shackleton, Liz (September 5, 2023). "Busan Film Festival To Open With 'Because I Hate Korea'; Chow Yun-Fat Named As Asian Filmmaker Of The Year". Deadline. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  2. ↑ "Kyrie". Busan International Film Festival. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 Schilling, Mark (October 12, 2023). "'Kyrie': Musical melodrama celebrates youth". The Japan Times. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  4. ↑ Marsh, James (October 25, 2023). "Kyrie movie review: confusing Shunji Iwai music drama starring Japanese singer Aina the End will leave many frustrated". Southern China Morning Post. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  5. ↑ Ide, Wendy (October 5, 2023). "'Kyrie': Busan Review". Screen Daily. Retrieved 25 October 2023.


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