Awards and festivals

Film description

Suzuko's life is not easy. She can't find a decent job, her parents force her to pay them rent, and her outrageously talented younger brother keeps teasing her. To make matters worse, the friend she planned to move in with, ditches her, and her ex-boyfriend accuses her of stealing. The girl goes to prison, and after getting out decides to change everything. To gain true independence, she gets on the road and promises herself one thing – to move every time she saves a million yen.

Yuki Tanada combines road film with a coming-of-age narrative. The stories of independent, ambitious young women are the main motif in the director's filmography, and "One Million Yen Girl" is one of her most interesting works. An unassuming, light plot takes us through different places in Japan – from the seaside to the mountains , from huge cities to tiny, depopulating villages. The charisma and charm of the lead actress, Yu Aoi, one of the best artists of the young generation, keeps the eyes glued to the screen. The character faces various problems, but also discovers her own unexpected talents and really gets to know the places she stops in. She runs away, a bit from the others, and a bit from herself - the result of this journey is not be easily foreseen.

Jagoda Murczyńska