Koji Fukada's competition entry 'Nagi Notes' gets Cannes premiere

Japanese director Koji Fukada returned to the Cannes Film Festival with “Nagi Notes,” a heartfelt drama about healing, connection, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of rural Japan and global unrest. The film is among 22 contenders competing for the prestigious Palme d'Or prize.

Oliver Barth, Will Russell, Hanna Rantala/Reuters

14 May 2026 at 06:53:37

Koji Fukada's competition entry 'Nagi Notes' gets Cannes premiere

Director Koji Fukada and cast members Shizuka Ishibashi and Takako Matsu pose on the red carpet during arrivals for the screening of the film "Nagi Notes" (Quelques jours a Nagi) in competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 13, 2026.

Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters

Japanese filmmaker Koji Fukada returned to the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday (May 13) to premiere his new movie "Nagi Notes".

Fukada's last feature, "Love on Trial" screened in the sidebar Cannes Premiere section in 2025. He also presented his 2020 title "The Real Thing" in official selection at the cinema showcase, while his 2016 film "Harmonium" premiered in the secondary competition section Un Certain Regard, winning the Jury Prize.

"Nagi Notes" is a drama starring Shizuka Ishibashi in the role of Yuri, a Tokyo-based architect who travels to the rural western Japanese village of Nagi to visit her former sister-in-law, Yoriko, played by Takako Matsu, and pose for a sculpture the artist is planning to make.

Both women are looking for purpose in their lives and find comfort and inspiration in each other as Yuri's short stay slowly extends to several days.

With sounds of live fire exercises from a nearby military base and news bulletins giving updates on the war in Ukraine puncturing the peaceful surface of village life, Yuri and Yoriko also connect with two young boys in the village, Keita (Kiyora Fujiwara) and Haruki, (Waku Kawaguchi), and provide them with a safe haven for self-expression.

"Nagi Notes" is one of 22 titles vying for the festival's top Palme d'Or prize, which will be handed out on May 23.

-Oliver Barth, Will Russell, Hanna Rantala/Reuters