In the dawn of the new millennium, Ginei Studio"s crumbling structures are slated for demolition. Former employee and filmmaker Genya Tachibana resolves to mark the event with a tribute documentary on the company"s legendary actress: Chiyoko Fujiwara, the enigmatic heart of Shōwa‑era cinema. After finally securing permission to speak with the retired star, a fascinated Genya brings along skeptical cameraman Kyouji Ida to meet her, determined to restore his lifelong idol"s spotlight once more.
Hidden within this remote mountain hideaway lies a millennium of history compressed into a single life, awaiting narration. Chiyoko"s memories lead them through an ethereal tour of Japanese film history that blurs the line between fact and fantasy; her career narrative intertwines with her body of work, the actors in her life merge seamlessly with on‑screen roles, and present moments fuse with past ones. Though the actress stepped away from the limelight three decades ago, the curtain on her life"s stage has yet to fall.
Madhouse Studios Japan