Director Chie Hayakawa of Renoir shared with the audience during a post-screening discussion that she was determined to become a director when she was around the same age as the female protagonist. "That period, those feelings, the thoughts that I have had, long before, I had already decided to incorporate them into my own film one day." Years later, she finally realised her dream, presenting those emotions on screen.

Chie penned this work when filming Plan 75. She quipped that her previous film conveyed a very explicit message, whereas Renoir aims to "let the audience feel freely without saying anything." Through this fictional narrative, she revisits the childhood she spent with her gravely ill father, at the same time, projecting the incomprehensiveness of her mother and teacher. Through her own lens, she captures that indescribable loneliness and sensitivity.

The film is fused with symbolic elements. The river scene is inspired by traditional Japanese depictions of 'life and death'. Meanwhile, character drifting between dreams and reality symbolises the passage of life. The director also emphasised that the mother in the story is not merely a figure of blame, but someone driven by loneliness. Behind her anger and frustration lies an irrepressible solitude.

Discussing her collaboration with French editor Anne Klotz, the director noted significant differences between the script and the final product. "I don't wish for people to define this film," she remarked. Through this transnational creative process, she discovered the themes in the film indeed transcend Japan, resonating universally.

The film's depictions of diverse cultures and superstitions stem from the director's observations of 80s Japan, capturing then-prevalent phenomena. "There was no internet back then; people were innocent yet inclined to believe in miracles." For instance, the protagonist frequently yearns for miracles to occur. The director believes this longing represents an escapist mindset.

Discussing child actor Suzuki Yui's performance, the director chuckled that she was both the first to audition and the first to be cast. "She claimed to be skilled at imitating animals, so I asked her to mimic a cat for me. To my surprise, she ended up showing me a horse's neigh!" The director admitted that she looked forward to her fresh expressions and surprises during every shoot, adding, "I thoroughly enjoyed the filming process."

Throughout filming, the director also aimed to capture the subtle unease children feel when facing danger. "At that age, she might not fully grasp the danger, but her body senses it."This sense of uncertainty, stemming from a girl's developmental journey, became the film's core emotion.

Renoir does not map out the narrative explicitly, instead it invites audiences to engage through imagination. The director noted, "this film doesn't convey that many messages. It offers no explicit explanations for the characters' actions. Many viewers said that they understood its intent when watched again."

Renoir will be in theatres next year. We encourage audiences to revisit and savour this tender, ambiguous impression of youth.