‘Look Back’: Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Tatsuki Fujimoto adaptation earns 12-minute standing ovation at Venice

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Look Back received more than 12 minutes of applause following its official screening at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 7. Kore-eda and stars Natsuki Deguchi and Aju Makita, were present for the premiere and joined the audience reception.

The emotional reception continued as Deguchi and Makita wiped away tears and bowed to the audience, while Kore-eda also became visibly emotional. The world premiere was attended by Deguchi and Makita alongside Furi Nanase and Rokka Okada, who play the younger versions of Fujino and Kyomoto respectively.

Based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s 2021 one-shot manga, Look Back follows Fujino and Kyomoto, two schoolgirls brought together by their shared passion for drawing manga. Their initial rivalry develops into a creative partnership that stretches across 13 years as their lives take different directions. Deguchi and Nanase play Fujino at different ages, while Makita and Okada portray Kyomoto.