Ryusuke Hamaguchi: The Rise of a Modern Cinematic Master
Ryusuke Hamaguchi has emerged as one of the most influential voices in contemporary global cinema. Known for his meticulous approach to screenwriting and his exploration of human connection, Hamaguchi has transitioned from a student of the arts in Tokyo to a multi-award-winning director recognized by the world's most prestigious film festivals.
Early Education and Formative Years
Hamaguchi's journey began at the University of Tokyo, followed by a brief period working in the commercial film industry. Seeking to refine his craft, he entered the graduate film program at the Tokyo University of the Arts. During this time, he studied under and was heavily influenced by the acclaimed director Kiyoshi Kurosawa.
His early student work was marked by ambition. In 2007, during his first year as a graduate student, he directed Solaris, an unauthorized adaptation of Stanisław Lem's novel. Despite a significant budget of ¥4 million for a graduation project, the 90-minute film was never released because the production failed to secure the necessary novel rights.
Hamaguchi found more immediate success with his second graduation film, Passion (2008), which earned a spot in the competition at Tokyo Filmex.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Developing a Unique Voice in the 2010s
In the early 2010s, Hamaguchi collaborated with Kō Sakai to produce documentary work focusing on the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Their three-part documentary, Voices from the Waves, was selected for the 2013 Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival, while their other collaboration, Storytellers, won the Sky Perfect IDEHA Prize.
The Breakthrough of Happy Hour
Hamaguchi's transition to major international recognition began with Happy Hour (2015). This five-hour drama was developed while Hamaguchi was an artist in residence at the KIITO Design and Creative Center Kobe in 2013. The film grew out of an improvisational acting workshop he conducted for non-professionals, many of whom eventually appeared in the movie.
Happy Hour premiered at the Locarno Film Festival, winning the Best Actress award for its four leads and a Special Mention for its script. It later received the Special Jury award at the 2016 Japan Movie Critic Awards and the Best Newcomer award from the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Geijutsu Sensho Awards.
Global Recognition and Cannes
By 2018, Hamaguchi entered the global spotlight with Asako I & II. Based on a novel by Tomoka Shibasaki, the film tells the story of a woman who falls in love with two men who look identical but possess entirely different personalities. The film premiered in the main competition for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, establishing his reputation in Western markets.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Recent Triumphs and Critical Acclaim
The early 2020s marked a period of unprecedented success for Hamaguchi. His anthology film, Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021), which faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize (second place) at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival.
That same year, Drive My Car became a global phenomenon. After premiering at the 74th Cannes Film Festival, where it won Best Screenplay, the film swept numerous awards, including Best Picture from the New York, Boston, and Los Angeles film critics circles, and a Golden Globe for Best Non-English Language Film. At the 94th Academy Awards, it won Best International Feature Film, and Hamaguchi became only the third Japanese director to be nominated for Best Director, while also receiving a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Hamaguchi continued his streak with Evil Does Not Exist (2023), which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 80th Venice International Film Festival. In the same year, he released Gift, a short film utilizing the same footage as Evil Does Not Exist but featuring a different narrative and a live score by Eiko Ishibashi.
Most recently, Hamaguchi made his French-language debut with All of a Sudden (2026). Premiering at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, the film saw stars Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto win the Best Actress prize.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Education: Graduate of the University of Tokyo and Tokyo University of the Arts.
- Major Awards: Academy Award for Best International Feature Film (Drive My Car) and Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize (Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy).
- Cannes Success: Multiple main competition entries, including Asako I & II, Drive My Car, and All of a Sudden.
- Directorial Milestone: Third Japanese director ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director.
- Experimental Roots: Developed Happy Hour through improvisational workshops with non-professional actors.
| Film | Year | Key Achievement/Award |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Hour | 2015 | Locarno Film Festival Best Actress & Special Mention |
| Asako I & II | 2018 | Cannes Film Festival Main Competition |
| Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy | 2021 | Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize (Berlin) |
| Drive My Car | 2021 | Oscar for Best International Feature Film |
| Evil Does Not Exist | 2023 | Grand Jury Prize (Venice) |
| All of a Sudden | 2026 | Cannes Best Actress (Efira & Okamoto) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the film Solaris never released?
Although it had a substantial budget of ¥4 million, the production failed to acquire the legal rights to Stanisław Lem's novel, preventing the film's release.
How did the film Happy Hour come to be created?
The screenplay was developed during Hamaguchi's residency at the KIITO Design and Creative Center Kobe in 2013, stemming from an improvisational acting workshop he held for non-professional actors.
What is the connection between Gift and Evil Does Not Exist?
The short film Gift uses the same visual footage as Evil Does Not Exist, but it tells a different story and features a live score by Eiko Ishibashi.
Which Academy Award nominations did Ryusuke Hamaguchi receive for Drive My Car?
In addition to the film winning Best International Feature Film, Hamaguchi was personally nominated for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
What was Hamaguchi's first French-language project?
His French-language debut was All of a Sudden, which premiered at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in 2026.