Downtown Utopia

Naomi Kishi who has a habit of self-harm, grew up with a mother with an abnormally strong desire for control and was profoundly ill. Naomi's relationship with her mother became unbearable, and she fled her parents' home. She goes to a downtown area where her mother is out of sight. She is caught when she enters an old-fashioned coffee shop, eats and drinks without paying. However, the coffee shop manager does not take her to task and even offers her a place to live. She begins living in a shared house in the downtown area, and gradually regains her true self through contact with unique people she has never met before in her life.

Directed by Yuki Otsuka, Downtown Utopia leans on a strong ensemble — Miyu Yoshimoto, Keisaku Kimura, Hiroki Nakajima — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2023.