In a village where it rains ash from an active volcano in the Kyushu region, brothers Koichi and Ryu, living apart as a result of their parents’ divorce, spend everyday on the phone. Unlike the laid-back younger brother Ryu living with their musician father, Koichi lives only for the day his family is reunited. One day, Koichi discovers a clever scheme to make his dream come true, and he and six friends go on a short journey to witness the miracle. An erupting volcano, crumbs from a snack, a thermometer indicating 40.1°C, a sprouting seed, a dropped coin, a dead dog in a backpack, a grandfather’s rice cake, a bicycle ring, acacia flowers, a picture of the brothers, a flag inscribed with the children’s wishes… These are among the seemingly random images from the film’s second half that melt into the narrative and bring a smile to one’s face. This is another great work by Kore-eda Hirokazu, who once again draws fantastic performances from the young cast as he did in [Nobody Knows]. (KANG Sowon)