From the Splendid Emmy Win to the Latest Work 'Rental Family' - World-Renowned Director HIKARI's Origins Shine Exclusively on BSSTO in Japan

The online theater 'BSSTO', which specializes in short films, will feature the globally rising Director HIKARI by exclusively streaming two brilliant short films that can be considered the origins of her artistry. The streaming period will run for three months starting today, Friday, April 24, and can be viewed for free upon user registration. Director HIKARI, who became the first Japanese to win an Emmy Award for Directing for the Netflix series 'BEEF', is now seeing expectations peak for her upcoming latest feature film 'Rental Family', which is set for a nationwide US release. In this special feature, we have lined up 'TSUYAKO', her debut work that won 27 awards at film festivals worldwide, and 'Where We Begin', which depicts 'regeneration' through dance, her own roots. TSUYAKO URL: https://sst-online.jp/theater/19174/ Where We Begin URL: https://sst-online.jp/theater/19183/ Set in 1950s Japan, 'TSUYAKO' is the story of a woman who has suppressed herself for the sake of her family, re-examining her 'true self' through a reunion with a former lover. It portrays the passion and conflict of a woman tossed about by the times with overwhelming visual beauty. On the other hand, 'Where We Begin' captures a dancer standing at a crossroads in life, confronting her inner self in a fantastical world. Strongly reflecting the director's own background as a dancer, it delivers an original visual experience where the dynamism of the flesh merges with delicate psychological descriptions. How did the director, who is currently drawing the most fervent attention in Hollywood, hone her talent? Through the intense worldview unique to short films, which cannot be experienced in feature films or drama series, we unravel the trajectory of Director HIKARI. Globally acclaimed Director HIKARI's shining origins exclusively streamed on BSSTO 'TSUYAKO' Director: HIKARI / Japan / Drama / 2011 / 24:52 Set in post-war Japan, this is the story of a woman who is both a mother and a factory worker, torn between her duties and freedom, forced to make a decision. The director says this work was inspired by the life of her real grandmother. Seeing her grandmother, who suppressed her own dreams and feelings for her family during the chaotic post-war period, the director wondered, 'What kind of life would she have had if she had chosen to live honestly with her heart?' The director herself calls this work a 'love letter to my grandmother.' 'Where We Begin' Director: HIKARI / USA / Drama / 2015 / 19:00 This is a story of a woman recalling her past. The love dedicated to one man, the war that took him away, and the life she was forced to walk thereafter. A magnificent tale spelling out the passion and belief residing in two souls, and the memories that gave her strength. A portrait of eternal love depicted through movement and sound. Produced under the theme of 'the cycle of love and life', this work expresses emotions through contemporary dance and music without relying on dialogue. Physical expression: It depicts the sense of loss and passion that cannot be put into words through the movement of the flesh. Although filmed in Los Angeles, a Japanese 'emotion' and 'sense of impermanence' flow at the root of the work, and the background of love torn apart by war is deeply tied to Japan's historical context, reflecting the 'border-crossing perspective' unique to Director HIKARI, who has studied and gained experience abroad since her university days. Born in Osaka City. A screenwriter, director, and producer with a background as a dancer, singer, painter, and photographer. Studied film production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Her post-war Japan-set human drama 'TSUYAKO' (USC graduation work) won over 50 awards, including the DGA (Directors Guild of America) Student Film Award for Best Female Director. Her fantasy short film blending live-action and animation, 'A Better Tomorrow', premiered at the Cannes Film Festival LEXUS Special Screening. Other works include 'Can & Sulochan', a comedy about an Indian scientist living in Tokyo who falls in love with a vending machine, and the non-verbal dance short film 'Where We Begin', which was nominated for Best International Short Film at the Tribeca Film Festival. Her feature film directorial debut '37 Seconds' (2020) premiered at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival, achieving the unprecedented feat of winning both the Panorama Audience Award and the CICAE Art Cinema Award, and was also nominated for Best First Feature Award.