The NEOWN editorial staff introduces new films that you should "see now".
We have selected five films, from the most talked-about to the most noteworthy that we are interested in.

「national treasureOn view from Friday, June 6, 2025.

Director: Lee Sang-il
Cast: Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama, Mitsuki Takahata, Shinobu Terajima, Nanana Mori, Takahiro Miura, Ai Mikami, Soya Kurokawa, Keitatsu Koshiyama, Masatoshi Nagase, Kyusaku Shimada, Emma Miyazawa, Min Tanaka, Ken Watanabe, etc.

Official site:https://kokuhou-movie.com/

©Shuichi Yoshida/Asahi Shimbun Publishing ©2025 Film "National Treasure" Production Committee

Kikuo, a boy who lost his father in a war, is taken in by a prestigious Kamigata kabuki family and begins a career in the art together with Shunsuke, the family sergeant. Will he eventually rise to become a "national treasure" while being tossed about by blood, tradition, jealousy, friendship, and the art of kabuki? And what lies ahead?

An epic human drama based on the masterpiece novel "Kokuho" by Shuichi Yoshida. Ryo Yoshizawa portrays Kikuo, the main character, with a sensitive and passionate performance. As Shunsuke, Kikuo's rival who clashes with Kikuo and yet continues to improve his art, Ryusei Yokohama combines straightforward energy and subtlety. The story is enriched by talented actors such as Ken Watanabe, Mitsuki Takahata, and Shinobu Terajima. Director Lee Sang-il's meticulous portrayal of the characters and the beauty of the images vividly depict the depth of the traditional performing art of Kabuki and the people who live in this world.

Frontline."　On view from Friday, June 13, 2025

Director: Kousai Sekine
Cast: Shun Oguri, Tori Matsuzaka, Sousuke Ikematsu, Nanana Mori, Yuki Sakurai, Rie Mimura, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Ken Mitsuishi, Kenichi Takito, Yosuke Kubozuka and others

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Official site:https://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/frontline/

(c) 2025 "Frontline" Production Committee

In February 2020, a new virus outbreak occurred on a cruise ship arriving at the port of Yokohama. The response was led by DMAT doctors who were unprepared for infectious diseases. Under extreme conditions, they risked their lives against an unknown virus for which there was no cure, and without giving up, they fought on the front lines to support the people.

This is a story based on the true story of people who were on the front lines confronting an unknown virus. The film brings together a star-studded cast including Shun Oguri, Tori Matsuzaka, Sousuke Ikematsu, and Yosuke Kubozuka, and centers on members of a disaster relief medical team (DMAT) as they confront a variety of people and events, creating a human drama under tense circumstances. Depicting the weight of choices and the strength and fragility of human beings from various perspectives, this is a film that must be seen now more than ever.

Best friends, huh?"On view from Friday, June 13, 2025

Director: Atter Hemwadi
Cast: Anthony Buisarate, Pisitpong Ekpongpisit, Thitiya Jirapongsingh, and others

Official site:https://notfriends.jp/

(C) 2023 GDH 559 AND HOUSETON CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Pae, a transfer student in her senior year of high school, loses Joe in an accident before she can get to know the bright Joe in the seat next to her. For a college recommendation, she makes a short film in Joe's memory, pretending to be his "best friend. While filming with his friends, including Joe's real best friend, Bokeh, he discovers Joe's surprising secret. ......

First feature film by Atter Hemwadi, who has garnered attention for his music videos and commercials. Bad Genius Dangerous GeniusesThe film is produced by GDH 559, an up-and-coming studio in Thailand that has produced numerous hits in recent years, including "Bad Genius," "Happy Old Year," and "Inheritance of the Goddess," and is known as the A24 of Asia, with Buzz Poongpiriya of "The Goddess of the Goddess" as a producer. The delicate expressions and questions surrounding secrets and creativity, centered on the relationship of "friendship" that we sometimes think about even after growing up, will gently linger in the hearts of the viewers.

Love in the Big City."On view from Friday, June 13, 2025

Director: Lee On-yi
Cast: Kim Go-eun, Noh Sang-hyun, Jeong Hui, Oh Dong-min, Jang Hye-jin, Lee Sang-yi, Kwak Dong-yong, Jung-hyuk Joo, Yoo-jin Lee, etc.

Official site:https://loveinthebigcity.jp/

(C) 2024 PLUS M ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOWBOX CORP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Jae-hee is energetic and free-spirited, and Hoon-soo lives a solitary life hiding his gay identity. The two opposites begin to live together, and while understanding and supporting each other's differences, they find their true selves. However, a major turning point in their lives comes before them, and their friendship is tested in unexpected ways. ......

A story of friendship and self-discovery woven by two unique and contrasting individuals. The role of the free-spirited Jae-hee is played by the young and talented Kim Go-eun, and the role of the lonely Hoon-su is passionately performed by the up-and-coming Noh Sang-hyun. Based on the story "Jae-hee" from the best-selling Korean short story collection "How to Love in the Big City" (writer: Park Sang-yong), the film is directed by "Female Filmmaker of the Year" award winner Lee On-yi. The glamour and loneliness of the city - this is a heart-wrenching film about facing "how to live one's own life" in modern society.

Renoir."On view from Friday, June 20, 2025

Director: Chie Hayakawa
Cast: Yui Suzuki, Hikari Ishida, Ayumi Nakajima, Yumi Kawai, Ryuta Bando, Lily Frankie, Hana Hope, Kotono Takanashi, Aki Nishihara, Shoichiro Tanigawa, Kyoko Miyashita, Benei Nakamura and others

Official site:https://happinet-phantom.com/renoir/

(C) 2025 "RENOIR" Production Committee / International Partners

In the summer of the 1980s, at the height of the bubble economy, 11-year-old Fuki lives with her parents in the suburbs and spends her summer vacation freely with her rich sensitivity and imagination, but the rift between her father, who is fighting an illness, and her mother, who is busy with work, begins to shake her daily life.

Written and directed by Chie Hayakawa, and co-produced by five countries including Japan, France, and Singapore, the role of Fuki, an 11-year-old girl, is played by newcomer Yui Suzuki, who was selected from among many candidates in an audition. Her mother, Shiko, is played by Hikari Ishida, and her sick father, Keiji, is played by Lily Franky, with Ayumi Nakajima, Yumi Kawai, Ryuta Bando, and other talented actors providing the supporting cast. Through the eyes of a young girl, the film quietly captures the disturbing atmosphere lurking in families and society, as well as the fluctuations in the world that only children can sense. The film had its world premiere in the Competition section at the 78th Cannes International Film Festival, where it was met with a great response.

We have introduced five recommended films to be released in June.
Next month, we will continue to bring you movies that move you and interest you. Please look forward to it!
text: yabesaya