Ice Cream Fever

Directed by Tetsuya Chihara
Starring Riho Yoshioka, Serena Motola, Utaha, Marika Matsumoto, Kotona Minami

Natsumi (Riho Yoshioka), an art school graduate who had struggled to find success in a design company, now works part-time at an ice cream shop in Shibuya, Tokyo. She becomes deeply captivated by regular customer and writer Saho (Serena Motola), sensing a fateful connection she can’t ignore. Natsumi’s younger co-worker, Takako (Utaha), observes her with complex emotions, witnessing Natsumi’s transformation. Meanwhile, Yu (Marika Matsumoto), a neighbour living near the ice cream shop, receives a sudden visit from her estranged 15-year-old niece, Miwa (Kotona Minami), who unexpectedly comes to live with her in search of her long-lost father. Yu is taken aback by this sudden change in her life, and Miwa’s presence awakens her painful memories.

Adapted from the short story Ice Cream Netsu by Akutagawa Prize-winning author Mieko Kawakami (known for Heaven), this film weaves together intricate tales of women from different generations and their relationships and emotions. Making his directorial debut, Tetsuya Chihara, who made his name as an art director in advertising and fashion, infuses the film with quirky shots and vibrant colours, bringing a visually engaging cinematic experience.