The Little Flowers of the Subway

Cannes Docs

The Little Flowers of the Subway

Original title: The Little Flowers of the Subway

Directed by: Junko Kobayashi

Produced by: Tomoko Ishikawa (Japan)

Country of production: Japan, Korea

Runtime: 90'

Expected release: September, 2023

Production stage: In production

Budget: $150,000 USD (35% secured)

1st feature: No

Looking for: Sales agents, international distributors, Co-producers, strategic guidance, investors, funders

Synopsis:

In Korea, subway delivery jobs have become a lifeline for the elderly, almost half of whom are living below the poverty line and desperate for a chance at making a living. This documentary portrays the office of one such company, which rescues impoverished pensioners. The company’s owner whose own life is overshadowed by tragedy, has immeasurable pain and atonement fo beloved daughter’s suicide. The film documents the joys and sorrows of these “Subway Delivery” workers and their network of supporters.

Director’s profile:

Studied documentary filmmaking at the Japan Institute of the Moving Image. She has worked on a variety of documentaries, Message from the Phoenix-Osamu Tezuka (NHK), Andean Holy Mountain Festival-Living at an altitude of 5000m (NHK), and many other documentary programs. The feature documentary film Between Today and Tomorrow, about Japan’s leading ballet dancer Yasuyuki Shuto, was screened at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

Producer’s profile:

Tomoko Ishikawa has worked on TV documentaries for more than 20 years, She has directed and produced various programs for NHK and the other TV companies, such as about the patriotism of youth in the Ukraine Civil war, Should young people shoot guns? (15) The story about Syrian refugees living in Japan, Syrians next door (16) Documentary about star comedian Muramoto Daisuke (21) received the Satellite Broadcasting Association Award, »2021 National Association of Commercial Broadcasters Award »and so on. The feature documentary film Between Today and Tomorrow, was screened at the Tokyo International Film Festival.