Takumi Kitamura's debut screenplay and short film directorial debut "I Quit Conquering the World" to be released

■ “‘I Quit Conquering the World’ is the song that changed my life” (Takumi Kitamura)

“I Quit Conquering the World,” the first short film that Takumi Kitamura wrote and directed, is scheduled to be released in February 2025 at Human Trust Cinema Shibuya and other theaters nationwide.

This is a short film by Kitamura Takumi, who was strongly influenced by one of the most famous songs by the poetry rapper Fushigi/wonderboy, who attracted attention for his unique sense of words and performances but passed away in an unexpected accident on June 23, 2011, and wrote a new script and directed the film himself, inspired by the song.

■The late, solitary poetry rapper, Fushigi/Wonderboy’s famous song is being made into a film
Fushigi/Wonderboy appeared like a comet in 2009 and attracted attention for his unique sense of words and performance. In 2011, he collaborated with Japan’s leading poet Shuntaro Tanikawa and recorded “Ikiru” with his permission. Sung in a crystal clear voice, the song resonated with Japanese people in the aftermath of the 3/11 disaster and sold out in one night. With that momentum, he released his long-awaited first album. He was definitely getting closer to his dream.

But unfortunately, he passed away in an accident in June 2011. He was only 24 years old, and his dream was still in the middle of its fulfillment… After his death, his music was recognized by many, and now he is an indispensable figure when talking about Japanese poetry reading. A short film about the charm of this mysterious/wonderboy has been completed, planned, scripted, and directed by Takumi Kitamura himself.

Cast information and other details are scheduled to be released in October. Let’s look forward to further news.

■ Comment from Takumi Kitamura
To be honest, when I was a student, I was in despair. I didn’t see a bright future for myself.
It was during this time that I came across a music genre called poetry reading.
Among them, it was Fushigi/Wonderboy. And the song “I Quit Conquering the World” is the song that changed my life.
By the time I knew about Fushigi/Wonderboy, he had already passed away. I was sad. I wanted to tell him that there are still many people who have been saved by him. So maybe it’s a bit off topic to say that I wanted to make a movie, but I wanted to make a movie someday about the emotions I got from “I Quit Conquering the World”. I’ve been saying this since I was 20 years old, and as a result, I’ve ended up writing and directing it myself. What does it mean to live as a member of society, to have a life there, to live and live and live and live in the concept of being an adult that is not the freedom I expected, but even despair? What does it mean to be alive? Is it to laugh, to have delicious food, to have friends, to darkness, to grab a small light? I’m grateful to all the staff, cast, and extras who followed me over and over again as I wrote the script, which I couldn’t write many times.

Movie Information

“I quit conquering the world”
February 2025: Released at Human Trust Cinema Shibuya and other theaters nationwide
Original story: “I’ve given up on world domination” by Wonderboy
Planning, scriptwriting, and direction: Takumi Kitamura
Produced by: East Film
Distributor: SPOTTED PRODUCTIONS

■ Story
I am tiny, but I am reaching out for the light.
A human story that reminds us of the value of clinging to life and that “we are the only main characters in our own lives.”

As you go through your monotonous daily life, you may feel that no one needs you, and suddenly think, “I want to disappear from this world.” The protagonist, Kanata, is an introverted member of society. His colleague, Hoshino, is somewhat nonchalant, yet wants to see things in black and white. Kanata’s life is greatly affected by the decision Hoshino makes. When you learn the meaning of “death,” you realize that you can make your own choices for tomorrow. Rather than chasing the extraordinary dream of world domination, there is surely a path that only you can draw. Because tomorrow comes equally to everyone.

Official Instagram for the movie “I Quit Conquering the World”
https://www.instagram.com/sekaiseifuku_movie/

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