Drama

​And So The Baton Is Passed ​

そして、バトンは渡された

Directed by: Tetsu Maeda
2021 / 137 minutes / Unclassified all ages

Moving drama about the lies and secrets of a girl with a complex upbringing and her family

Miitan is a crybaby whose mother has died. One day, her father remarries and she gets a new mother named Rika. However, her father suddenly goes abroad and her parents split up, leaving Miitan behind with the flamboyant Rika who knows little about raising a child. Rika loves Miitan but vanishes when she gets married again. Meanwhile, Yūko is a high school student who loves to cook and lives with her kind stepfather. Yūko is all smiles, but she struggles with school and romance. Miitan and Yūko continue on their own paths in life, but family secrets remain hidden… 

This moving drama skillfully intertwines mysterious Rika’s story with the process of Yūko and Miitan’s maturation. The film is based on a bestseller that won the grand prize selected by Japan’s booksellers. Mei Nagano (Yūko) and Satomi Ishihara (Rika) are among Japan’s leading actors and bring brilliant charm and acting talent to the production. Director Tetsu Maeda is reputed for his high-quality films and adds a lighthearted touch to this tear-jerking story.