Life Is Yours: Revenge, Empathy & Japan’s Tourism Shift – HAF Project

Emma Kawawada’s upcoming drama, “Life Is Yours,” promises a compelling story of revenge and unexpected connection, centering on a 71-year-traditional cleaner’s infiltration of a luxury resort. The film, already generating buzz within the industry, was selected as one of 17 in-development projects at the 24th Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) earlier this week, signaling a significant step toward production and international distribution.

The narrative follows Kimie, a woman driven by a desire for retribution against a foreign company that not only seized her land but likewise contributed to the death of her husband. Her plan involves gaining access to the opulent world of the resort and confronting Lily, the young CEO. Still, the anticipated confrontation takes an unforeseen turn as a maternal bond develops between the two women, adding layers of complexity to the story.

A Producer with Momentum

“Life Is Yours” is produced by Eiko Mizuno-Gray and Takahashi Naoya, through a collaboration between Toei and Loaded Films. Mizuno-Gray’s previous operate includes the critically acclaimed “Renoir,” which competed at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, demonstrating her track record for supporting ambitious and artistically driven projects. The selection for HAF underscores the project’s potential to attract further investment, and partnerships. You can identify more information about the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum here.

Kawawada’s Emerging Voice

This marks the second feature film for director Emma Kawawada, following her 2022 debut, “My Small Land,” which garnered a Special Commendation from the Amnesty International Film Awards after being selected for the Berlinale Generation section. In 2025, Variety recognized Kawawada as one of Japan’s emerging directors at Cannes, solidifying her position as a rising talent in the international film scene. Her work consistently explores themes of displacement and identity, and “Life Is Yours” appears to be a continuation of this exploration, albeit from a new and intriguing perspective.

Kawawada herself has articulated the inspiration behind the film, noting a growing disparity in Japan where rising tourism costs are pricing out local residents from leisure activities. She describes a shift where traditionally Japanese spaces are transforming into resorts catering primarily to foreign visitors, creating a sense of alienation for some within their own country. This observation forms the core of the film’s thematic concerns, prompting a reversal of perspective – examining the experience of Japanese individuals who feel like minorities in their own land.

Thematic Resonance and Production Goals

The director frames “Life Is Yours” as an exploration of the complex interplay between hatred and empathy, acknowledging the challenges and fragile hope inherent in forging connections across racial and social divides. Producer Takahashi Naoya echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the film’s portrayal of a relationship that evolves from revenge to a more nuanced understanding. Naoya’s previous credits at Toei include “Hot Gimmick,” “Anime Supremacy!” and “Bait,” the latter of which won the TAICCA Award at the NAFF Project Market. His most recent film, “Dear Stranger,” was showcased at the 2025 Busan International Film Festival.

Mizuno-Gray, whose credits at Loaded Films include “To the Ends of the Earth” and “Plan 75” (Japan’s 2023 Oscar entry, which received a Special Mention at Cannes), highlights the film’s timeliness, stating that it addresses the need for understanding differences in an increasingly unstable world. She believes the project is particularly relevant given the current global climate.

Seeking Collaboration and Global Reach

The team is actively seeking funding, co-producers, and a sales agent through HAF. A key objective is to foster collaboration with Asian partners to ensure an authentic portrayal of the non-Japanese Asian family featured in the story. They also aim to connect with an international sales company capable of developing a comprehensive global strategy for the film. This strategic approach underscores the ambition to reach a broad audience and maximize the film’s impact.

Kawawada’s journey to this project began with the short film “Circle” in 2012, while still a student. She subsequently worked with Bun-Buku, the production company founded by Kore-eda Hirokazu, a highly respected figure in Japanese cinema. In 2018, she received the Arte International Prize at the Asian Project Market in Busan, and in 2024, she was selected for Japan’s Film Frontier program, demonstrating a consistent trajectory of recognition and support.

Filmed in Multiple Languages

“Life Is Yours” is notable for being filmed in Japanese, Cantonese, and English, suggesting a deliberate effort to appeal to a diverse international audience and reflect the multicultural context of the story. This linguistic approach also aligns with the film’s themes of bridging cultural divides and fostering understanding.

The HAF event, which concluded on March 19th, provided a crucial platform for the project to gain visibility and attract potential partners. The next steps for “Life Is Yours” will likely involve securing the necessary funding and finalizing co-production agreements. The team’s stated goal of finding an international sales agent suggests a planned release strategy that extends beyond Japan, potentially targeting film festivals and distribution deals in key markets worldwide. Further updates on the project’s progress can be found on the Variety website.

Interestingly, a different Kimie is making waves in the music world. Kimié Miner, a Native Hawaiian and Portuguese singer-songwriter, received a Grammy nomination in 2019 for her work on the album “Hawaiian Lullaby.” You can learn more about her music on Wikipedia. While unrelated to the film, it highlights the diverse creative talent bearing the same name.