The G20 Film Festival is bringing Makoto Shinkai’s captivating film, “Suzume” (Suzume no Tojimari), to the India Habitat Centre’s Stein Auditorium on August 12 at 7:00 p.m. IST. Best of all, this screening is free to attend! Don’t miss out on this chance to experience this cinematic work that has taken the Indian box office by storm, becoming the highest-earning Japanese film in the country, outshining even Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
Be sure to reserve your spot through the India Habitat Centre’s website and join fellow movie lovers for a delightful evening of Japanese cinema. If you’re a fan of Makoto Shinkai’s work, you’ll be thrilled to know that the film was part of the Makoto Shinkai Film Festival, and there was even a special meet and greet with the renowned director himself in Mumbai.
In the United States, Suzume faced competition from films like Renfield, The Pope’s Exorcist, and Sweetwater upon its release. With high expectations, it was projected to earn 4.7 million dollars during its opening weekend. But it exceed expectations and earned an impressive 5 million dollars in its opening weekend.
Also Read: How Do You Live? Film Breaks Box Office, Earns 4.69 Billion Yen
Suzume’s Plot
One day while heading to school, Suzume Iwato unexpectedly crosses paths with Souta Munakata, a young man on the hunt for forgotten places. Her curiosity is piqued so Suzume guides Souta to a nearby ruin, and to her surprise, she decides to explore it herself.
Inside, she encounters a mysterious door leading to a surreal universe, one she can sense but not enter. A peculiar stone nearby transforms into a cat-like creature and scampers away at Suzume’s touch. Uncomfortable, she retreats towards her school, unaware that leaving the door ajar will set off a chain of events.
Unknown to her, her action unleashes a threat from the alternate world, determined to wreak havoc across Japan. Realizing her grave error, Suzume joins forces with Souta, whose true mission is to divert this impending catastrophe. Their mission: to locate and seal every open door, halting the disaster that threatens to wipe out humanity.
The Cast
Suzume Iwato, voiced by Nanoka Hara, is the main character of the film. Her mother died in the tsunami which took place in Japan in 2011 when she was just four years old. She is 17 years old during the film and lives with her aunt in Miyazaki Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu.
Souta Munakata, voiced by Hokuto Matsumura, is the young man Suzume encounters. He’s on a mission to close all magical doors before they cause natural disasters but gets cursed and is turned into a chair. Suzume helps him to complete his mission and get his body back.
Tamaki Iwato, voiced by Eri Fukatsu, is Suzume’s Aunt. She is 40 years old and works at a fishing cooperative. Tsubame Iwato, voiced by Kana Hanazawa, was Suzume’s mother. She passed away due to a tsunami that took place in Japan. Daijin, voiced by Ann Yamane, is the cat that cursed Souta into a chair.
Other minor characters include Minoru Okabe, voiced by Shota Sometani, Rumi Ninomiya, voiced by Sairi Ito, Chika Amabe, voiced by Kotone Hanase, Hitsujirō Munakata, voiced by Matsumoto Hakuo. And finally, Tomoya Serizawa, who Ryunosuke Kamiki voices, is Souta’s best friend.
By the box office earnings, it’s pretty clear that Suzume impressed viewers all around the globe with its engaging storyline, compelling characters, catchy music, and flawless animation. With hits like Your Name and Weathering with You, we didn’t expect anything less from Makoto Shinkai. His delivery of emotions and deep themes is like no other, and he proved it with Suzume.
