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Movie poster: Ikigai (2024)
🎬 Movie
2024 · 16 min Family Drama

'Ikigai' follows Mayumi, a 9-year-old girl, as she tries to find balance in her Japanese identity and American nationality. Hanako, her mother who celebrates their culture through Nihon Buyo, sees Mayumi's new school as an opportunity to share their culture with the white students. When Mayumi is assigned a show-and-tell presentation, she takes it as a chance to prove to her classmates that she is not that different from them. But, that plan is soon ruined when Hanako unexpectedly shows up and teaches the class a Japanese dance, embarrassing and exposing Mayumi's cultural background. After coming home ashamed of her mother and Japanese identity, Mayumi receives guidance from her parents that motivates her to return to school and redo her show and tell in a way that would make her ancestors proud.

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📋 Film Details

Year 2024
Country United States of America
Genre Family, Drama
Director Maren Emiko Elardo
Runtime 16 min.

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🎬 MovieFinder's Take

Ikigai is an acquired taste at 0.0/10. We recommend checking the trailer and synopsis before diving in.

Not every film is made for everyone. Read the synopsis, watch the trailer — you'll know right away if it's for you.

Released in 2024, this film holds up just as well today. Best for: genre fans and those open to something unconventional.

— MovieFinder Editorial

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