
Directing
Shunji Iwai
Born
1963-01-24 (63)
Place of birth
Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Known for
Directing
Credits
53 titles
Shunji Iwai (岩井 俊二, Iwai Shunji, born 24 January 1963) is a Japanese film director, video artist, writer and documentary maker.
Known for
7.8Hiroko attends the memorial service of her fiancé, Itsuki Fujii, who died in a mountain-climbing incident. Although Itsuki's mother says that their old house is gone, Hiroko records the address listed under his name in his yearbook and sends him a letter. Surprisingly, she receives a reply, and discovers it came from his old classmate, a girl who also happens to be called Itsuki Fujii.
Love Letter
1995
7.5Charts the troubled teenage years of students Yūichi Hasumi and Shūsuke Hoshino, exploring the shifting and complex power dynamics of their relationship against the backdrop of Yūichi's love for the dreamy and abstract music of pop star Lily Chou-Chou.
All About Lily Chou-Chou
2001
6.0New York, I Love You delves into the intimate lives of New Yorkers as they grapple with, delight in and search for love. Journey from the Diamond District in the heart of Manhattan, through Chinatown and the Upper East Side, towards the Village, into Tribeca, and Brooklyn as lovers of all ages try to find romance in the Big Apple.
New York, I Love You
2008
7.5Tomoya Kishida is working as a staffer in a television studio when he hears about the death of his close friend, Aoi Sato. This sparks his recollection of the events in life they shared from meeting at a record store, shooting a short film as part of their university film club, to saying their last goodbyes. Though in love with each other, neither had the courage to confess their feelings before it was too late.
Rainbow Song
2006
7.5The struggles of a group of outcasts living in "Yentown", in an alternate-future Japan.
Swallowtail Butterfly
1996
7.3After transferring to Ishinomori Middle School, Tetsuko "Alice" Arisugawa overhears her classmates discussing a strange rumor. The previous occupant of her seat, a nondescript "Judas," is missing and presumed murdered. Amidst dealing with her mother's undesired meddling in her affairs and warding off her classmates' bullying, the troubled Alice starts to investigate the mystery surrounding Judas' disappearance. The trail of clues leads her to the house of her next-door neighbor, the quirky and reclusive Hana Arai.
The Case of Hana & Alice
2015
Film credits
2020s · 3 titles
6.6Hana, a high school student who lost her parents in an accident, does not fit in at school and cannot find any reason to live. Suddenly one day, a man claiming to be from a special government organization visits her and asks her to tell him about a dream she had. Hana is confused and has no idea what is happening, but that night she has a strange dream.
From the End of the World
2023
7.3The year is 2020, the middle of the corona crisis. Art student Itsuka has her graduation exhibition canceled and must take home the piece which she had been working on for a year. In a whirlpool of emotions she clashes with her worried parents, her little sister overreacts to the virus and even her usually calm friend Hirai starts to build up frustration. In the middle of all that, she re-unites with Tanaka, who gave her the opportunity to absorb herself in painting, clashes with Hirai over their true feelings and tries to face her own future.
Ribbon
2022
NRA documentary about actress and singer-songwriter Lily, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 64. The theatrical version combines live footage of "Lily + Hiroshi" recorded between 2013 and 2015 by Takama Kenji, cinematographer of "Radio Time," with additional interview footage of guests who had connections with Lily. Starring Lily, Saito Hiroshi, Takahashi Kazuya from "Between the White Keys and the Black Keys," Negishi Toki from "At the Bus Stop Until Dawn," Toyokawa Etsushi who co-starred with Lily in the 1997 TV drama "The Blue Bird," and Iwai Shunji, director of "The Bride of Rip Van Winkle," in which Lily starred.
Lily, I am crying
2024
2010s · 2 titles
2000s · 5 titles
7.7A disillusioned filmmaker has an encounter with a young woman who has a ritual of repeating "Tomorrow is my birthday" everyday. He tries to communicate with her through his video camera.
Ritual
2000
4.7The making of 'All About Lily Chou-Chou' starting from its conception as an interactive story that played out on a BBS
All About "All About Lily Chou-Chou"
2002
6.5Extra, behind scenes from Hideaki Anno's film Ritual (also known as Shiki-Jitsu).
Once upon a time returning to my hometown
2003
NRThe short film shot within the movie "Ritual" (2000)
The Railway and the Girl
2003
NRBehind the scenes documentary about the filming of "Hana & Alice", which began as a series of shorts promoting Kit Kat
Filming H&A
2005
1990s · 1 titles
Series credits
Behind the camera
7.8Hiroko attends the memorial service of her fiancé, Itsuki Fujii, who died in a mountain-climbing incident. Although Itsuki's mother says that their old house is gone, Hiroko records the address listed under his name in his yearbook and sends him a letter. Surprisingly, she receives a reply, and discovers it came from his old classmate, a girl who also happens to be called Itsuki Fujii.
Love Letter
1995
7.8Hiroko attends the memorial service of her fiancé, Itsuki Fujii, who died in a mountain-climbing incident. Although Itsuki's mother says that their old house is gone, Hiroko records the address listed under his name in his yearbook and sends him a letter. Surprisingly, she receives a reply, and discovers it came from his old classmate, a girl who also happens to be called Itsuki Fujii.
Love Letter
1995
7.5Charts the troubled teenage years of students Yūichi Hasumi and Shūsuke Hoshino, exploring the shifting and complex power dynamics of their relationship against the backdrop of Yūichi's love for the dreamy and abstract music of pop star Lily Chou-Chou.
All About Lily Chou-Chou
2001
7.5Charts the troubled teenage years of students Yūichi Hasumi and Shūsuke Hoshino, exploring the shifting and complex power dynamics of their relationship against the backdrop of Yūichi's love for the dreamy and abstract music of pop star Lily Chou-Chou.
All About Lily Chou-Chou
2001
6.0New York, I Love You delves into the intimate lives of New Yorkers as they grapple with, delight in and search for love. Journey from the Diamond District in the heart of Manhattan, through Chinatown and the Upper East Side, towards the Village, into Tribeca, and Brooklyn as lovers of all ages try to find romance in the Big Apple.
New York, I Love You
2008
6.0New York, I Love You delves into the intimate lives of New Yorkers as they grapple with, delight in and search for love. Journey from the Diamond District in the heart of Manhattan, through Chinatown and the Upper East Side, towards the Village, into Tribeca, and Brooklyn as lovers of all ages try to find romance in the Big Apple.
New York, I Love You
2008
7.5Tomoya Kishida is working as a staffer in a television studio when he hears about the death of his close friend, Aoi Sato. This sparks his recollection of the events in life they shared from meeting at a record store, shooting a short film as part of their university film club, to saying their last goodbyes. Though in love with each other, neither had the courage to confess their feelings before it was too late.
Rainbow Song
2006
7.5Tomoya Kishida is working as a staffer in a television studio when he hears about the death of his close friend, Aoi Sato. This sparks his recollection of the events in life they shared from meeting at a record store, shooting a short film as part of their university film club, to saying their last goodbyes. Though in love with each other, neither had the courage to confess their feelings before it was too late.
Rainbow Song
2006
7.5The struggles of a group of outcasts living in "Yentown", in an alternate-future Japan.
Swallowtail Butterfly
1996
7.5The struggles of a group of outcasts living in "Yentown", in an alternate-future Japan.
Swallowtail Butterfly
1996
7.3After transferring to Ishinomori Middle School, Tetsuko "Alice" Arisugawa overhears her classmates discussing a strange rumor. The previous occupant of her seat, a nondescript "Judas," is missing and presumed murdered. Amidst dealing with her mother's undesired meddling in her affairs and warding off her classmates' bullying, the troubled Alice starts to investigate the mystery surrounding Judas' disappearance. The trail of clues leads her to the house of her next-door neighbor, the quirky and reclusive Hana Arai.
The Case of Hana & Alice
2015
7.3After transferring to Ishinomori Middle School, Tetsuko "Alice" Arisugawa overhears her classmates discussing a strange rumor. The previous occupant of her seat, a nondescript "Judas," is missing and presumed murdered. Amidst dealing with her mother's undesired meddling in her affairs and warding off her classmates' bullying, the troubled Alice starts to investigate the mystery surrounding Judas' disappearance. The trail of clues leads her to the house of her next-door neighbor, the quirky and reclusive Hana Arai.
The Case of Hana & Alice
2015
7.3After transferring to Ishinomori Middle School, Tetsuko "Alice" Arisugawa overhears her classmates discussing a strange rumor. The previous occupant of her seat, a nondescript "Judas," is missing and presumed murdered. Amidst dealing with her mother's undesired meddling in her affairs and warding off her classmates' bullying, the troubled Alice starts to investigate the mystery surrounding Judas' disappearance. The trail of clues leads her to the house of her next-door neighbor, the quirky and reclusive Hana Arai.
The Case of Hana & Alice
2015
7.0It is only at their sister's and mother's funeral when a woman meets her niece after many years. The niece is now a grown girl. The sister takes on the task of informing the deceased's friends of the death while the daughter cannot bring herself to symbolically accept the demise of her mother. In the midst of all this an old flame messages the sister to say he is still in love with her, but is he messaging the living sister or the dead one?
Last Letter
2020
7.0It is only at their sister's and mother's funeral when a woman meets her niece after many years. The niece is now a grown girl. The sister takes on the task of informing the deceased's friends of the death while the daughter cannot bring herself to symbolically accept the demise of her mother. In the midst of all this an old flame messages the sister to say he is still in love with her, but is he messaging the living sister or the dead one?
Last Letter
2020
6.9A woman hires actors and strangers to pretend to be her friends and family at her wedding.
A Bride for Rip Van Winkle
2016
6.9A woman hires actors and strangers to pretend to be her friends and family at her wedding.
A Bride for Rip Van Winkle
2016
6.9A woman hires actors and strangers to pretend to be her friends and family at her wedding.
A Bride for Rip Van Winkle
2016
7.1In spring, a girl leaves the island of Hokkaido to attend university in Tokyo. Once there, she is asked to reveal why she wanted to go there in the first place.
April Story
1998
7.1In spring, a girl leaves the island of Hokkaido to attend university in Tokyo. Once there, she is asked to reveal why she wanted to go there in the first place.
April Story
1998
6.8Believing that the world will end that very day, three mental patients Coco, Tsumuji, and Satoru set out upon a journey. Walking upon the tops of the walls of the city, they seek to find a picnic spot with the best vantage point to view the final event.
Picnic
1996
6.8Believing that the world will end that very day, three mental patients Coco, Tsumuji, and Satoru set out upon a journey. Walking upon the tops of the walls of the city, they seek to find a picnic spot with the best vantage point to view the final event.
Picnic
1996
7.0Two teenage best pals attracted to the same boy end up scrambling his life after he walks into a door and is knocked unconscious.
Hana & Alice
2004
7.0Two teenage best pals attracted to the same boy end up scrambling his life after he walks into a door and is knocked unconscious.
Hana & Alice
2004
7.0Two teenage best pals attracted to the same boy end up scrambling his life after he walks into a door and is knocked unconscious.
Hana & Alice
2004
4.7The making of 'All About Lily Chou-Chou' starting from its conception as an interactive story that played out on a BBS
All About "All About Lily Chou-Chou"
2002
7.9Jam Films is a 2002 suite of 7 shorts produced by Sega/Amuse.
Jam Films
2002
7.9Jam Films is a 2002 suite of 7 shorts produced by Sega/Amuse.
Jam Films
2002
6.0Moemi is not overly pleased when Yukio brings home a couple of turtles to keep her company. Although Yukio works at home as a writer, Moemi feels neglected and desired a dog or a cat, but neither is allowed in their apartment.
Undo
1994
6.0Moemi is not overly pleased when Yukio brings home a couple of turtles to keep her company. Although Yukio works at home as a writer, Moemi feels neglected and desired a dog or a cat, but neither is allowed in their apartment.
Undo
1994
7.1One summer day, a group of sixth-grade boys have an argument about whether fireworks are round or flat when viewed from different angles and embark on a journey for the answer during the annual firework festival. Meanwhile, one of their classmates, Nazuna, is troubled by her parents' separation and decides to choose one of the boys to run away with.
Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?
1993
7.1One summer day, a group of sixth-grade boys have an argument about whether fireworks are round or flat when viewed from different angles and embark on a journey for the answer during the annual firework festival. Meanwhile, one of their classmates, Nazuna, is troubled by her parents' separation and decides to choose one of the boys to run away with.
Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?
1993
7.6Luca lost her family in the Great East Japan Earthquake causing her not to be able to speak. However, her singing voice shakes the hearts of those who listen to her. It is a hymn of compassion played by Luca and the people.
Kyrie
2023
7.6Luca lost her family in the Great East Japan Earthquake causing her not to be able to speak. However, her singing voice shakes the hearts of those who listen to her. It is a hymn of compassion played by Luca and the people.
Kyrie
2023
6.3All Yuan Zhinan has left behind when she passed away is a letter and an invitation to a school reunion. Attending the reunion in lieu of her late elder sister, Zhihua accidentally runs into Yin Chuan, on whom she had a crush in her youth. As old memories are evoked, and correspondences travel through different contexts and times, Zhihua slowly uncovers the intricate story of the trio.
Last Letter
2018
6.3All Yuan Zhinan has left behind when she passed away is a letter and an invitation to a school reunion. Attending the reunion in lieu of her late elder sister, Zhihua accidentally runs into Yin Chuan, on whom she had a crush in her youth. As old memories are evoked, and correspondences travel through different contexts and times, Zhihua slowly uncovers the intricate story of the trio.
Last Letter
2018
6.3All Yuan Zhinan has left behind when she passed away is a letter and an invitation to a school reunion. Attending the reunion in lieu of her late elder sister, Zhihua accidentally runs into Yin Chuan, on whom she had a crush in her youth. As old memories are evoked, and correspondences travel through different contexts and times, Zhihua slowly uncovers the intricate story of the trio.
Last Letter
2018
6.1Set in the 1990s during Japan's "band boom" era, the film tells the tale of a girl in high school, Asako, who goes to a concert and meets Natsu, vocalist of the new band LANDS. Asako ends up being the band manager, but as the band's popularity starts to soar, the band's friendship begins to suffer.
Bandage
2010
6.1Set in the 1990s during Japan's "band boom" era, the film tells the tale of a girl in high school, Asako, who goes to a concert and meets Natsu, vocalist of the new band LANDS. Asako ends up being the band manager, but as the band's popularity starts to soar, the band's friendship begins to suffer.
Bandage
2010
6.0A high school couple experiences young love and heartache as they're faced with the prospect of long-distance dating after graduation.
Halfway
2009




