The upcoming film Memories, starring Emoto Tasuku in the lead role, has been announced for release in June 2026. The film takes a quiet, introspective approach, focusing on the subtle emotions and everyday moments that shape the meaning of family in contemporary life.
The story follows Yuta (played by Emoto), who travels to a rural town in Kyushu to care for his father-in-law after he breaks his leg. While helping out at his father-in-law’s old-fashioned photo studio, Yuta keeps in touch with his wife and young daughter in Tokyo by exchanging videos filmed on his smartphone.
Rather than dramatic events, the film is built around fragments of ordinary life. Through these casual recordings and shared memories, the presence of “family life” slowly comes into focus. Physical distance, shifting responsibilities, and unspoken feelings quietly intersect, creating an emotional undercurrent that runs beneath the film’s calm surface.
Memories does not rely on overt conflict. Instead, it observes the passage of time and the accumulation of memory. The contrast between the stillness of the traditional photo studio and the fluid, everyday nature of smartphone videos invites reflection on how people preserve moments, connect across distance, and define what it means to truly be present.
Known for his restrained and detail-oriented performances, Emoto Tasuku once again leads a story that values nuance over spectacle. Memories promises a gentle yet resonant portrayal of family, responsibility, and emotional distance—one that unfolds quietly, but lingers long after.
