Closing Gala

Shining Boy and Little Randy

Hoshi ni natta shounen UK Premiere

Sun 20 3.00 Barbican

A smash hit in Japan, this is the story of classroom misfit Tetsu. His family runs a ramshackle animal hire business for film and TV and when they bring an elephant home, Tetsu is immediately drawn to it. Defying his mum’s wishes he goes to Thailand to become a mahout (an elephant trainer) where he meets baby Farr, separated from his mum and very difficult. If you liked Two Brothers, you’ll love this – fantastic performances from young star Yuya Yagira (Nobody Knows) and a stellar cast of charismatic elephants.

Japan 2005 Dir. Shunsaku Kawage 113 min. Toho (Japan)

Japanese with English subtitles



This film is part of the LCFF's Official Selection

and here are the reviews from the LCFF's First Light Young Jury:

The story is about a family which hires out animals for films. The mother is fixated with these animals and sometimes cares for them more than her kids. Her eldest son is amazed by the elephant his mother brings home one day and begs his mother to let him go to Thailand to become a mahout.

It could be a great family film except the subtitles are quite fast for younger kids. It’s a fun story and good for ages about 10 and up.

Zack, 13