Moonless Dawn (2019)

Original title: 暁闇

A simple yet breathtakingly beautiful debut that connects existential youth through music

Adolescence is often fraught with anger and despair, leaving you feeling like you’re swimming in an endless sea of trouble and woe. Moonless Dawn follows three junior high school students in the midst of such difficulties. Kou is adrift in life, with no sense of purpose or direction, Yuka fills the void inside her by dating strangers she meets on the street, and Saki is stuck in the middle of never ending fights between her parents, unable to feel comfortable at home or in school. For Yuka and Saki, music by their favourite artist is a welcome escape from their everyday lives, until one day it is all taken offline. Without a soundtrack to immerse themselves in, the girls seek out the producer and discover life beyond the music. Inspired by the music of the band LOWPOPLTD, Harika Abe’s moody, quiet, and dreamy debut feature contrasts the innocence of youth with the disparate reality of life.