Giovanni’s Island

“Stunning” – Peter Debruge, Variety

From Production I.G, the studio behind Ghost in the Shell, and director Mizuho Nishikubo comes the award-winning historical drama Giovanni’s Island, winner of the Satoshi Kon Award at the Fantasia Film Festival.

Brothers Junpei and Kanta live on Shikotan, a tiny fishing island, that has been spared from the devastations of World War II. The two children are named after Giovanni and Campanella from their late mother’s favorite book, Night on the Galactic Railroad, which becomes a source of solace in the aftermath of Japan’s defeat. When Soviet forces arrive with their families to settle on the island, Junpei meets Tanya, the daughter of the commander. Despite their language barrier and growing tension, the children soon form an unlikely friendship.