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Instruments of a Beating Heart

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Instruments of a Beating Heart
Promotional poster
Directed byEma Ryan Yamazaki
Produced by
  • Eric Nyari
StarringAyame
CinematographyKazuki Kakurai
Edited byMizuki Toriya
Music byPäivi Takala
Production
companies
  • Cineric Creative
  • NHK
Distributed by
Release date
  • June 14, 2024 (2024-06-14) (DC/DOX Fest)
Running time
23 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Instruments of a Beating Heart is a 2024 Japanese documentary short film directed by Ema Ryan Yamazaki.[1] Edited down from Yamazaki's 2023 feature The Making of a Japanese,[2][3][4][5] the film documents the challenge presented to the first graders in a Tokyo public elementary school of performing "Ode to Joy" at the ceremony for the new incoming first graders, as their assignment for the final semester.[2]

Instruments of a Beating Heart had its world premiere on June 14, 2024, in the Shorts Program: One-of-a-Kind of DC/DOX Film Festival 2024.[6][7] It won Best Short Documentary at the 40th IDA Documentary Awards and was nominated for Best Documentary Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards.[8]

Summary

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The documentary follows Ayame, a schoolgirl eager to participate in a group performance of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" to welcome new first graders. Encouraged by the teacher to think beyond herself, Ayame wins the cymbal role in the audition. However, a lack of dedication to her task leads to mistakes during rehearsals, prompting the teacher to emphasize the importance of harmony and diligence. Following a reprimand during practice, Ayame loses confidence. Classmates and teachers offer encouragement and support, leading her to rejoin the group and become a part of its eventual success.

Cast

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  • Teachers and students of Tokyo public elementary school

Release

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It had its International Premiere on June 21, 2024, in the Shorts –3 of Doc Edge Film Festival 2024.[9][10]

It had its Midwest premiere at the Indy Shorts Film Festival on 25 July 2024 in Music.[11]

The film was made available for streaming on November 18, 2024 via YouTube and The New York Times Op-Docs.[12]

The film was showcased at the Doc NYC on November 15, 2024, in the Shorts Human Spirit programme.[13][14]

Accolades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
International Documentary Association Awards 5 December 2024 Best Short Documentary Instruments of a Beating Heart Won [15]
Cinema Eye Honors January 9, 2025 Outstanding Non-Fiction Short Shortlisted [16]
Academy Awards March 2, 2025 Best Documentary Short Film Ema Ryan Yamazaki and Eric Nyari Nominated [8][17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Instruments of a Beating Heart". DC/DOX Film Festival. May 1, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Carey, Matthew (December 2, 2024). "Director Ema Ryan Yamazaki On Her Oscar Contender 'Instruments Of A Beating Heart': Film Reveals "How A Japanese Person Is Made"". Deadline. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  3. ^ Mukai, Gary (January 15, 2025). ""Instruments of a Beating Heart," a Film by Ema Ryan Yamazaki". SPICE News. Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  4. ^ 日本の小学校を取材した山崎エマ監督の短編ドキュメンタリー「第97回アカデミー賞」ノミネート. Oricon News (in Japanese). January 24, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  5. ^ Ishii, Masato (February 17, 2025). ""The Making of a Japanese": Ema Ryan Yamazaki Movingly Documents Elementary School Life in Japan". Nippon.com. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  6. ^ "Shorts Program: One-of-a-Kind: Instruments of a Beating Heart". DC/DOX Film Festival. June 14, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  7. ^ Morfoot, Addie (May 1, 2024). "DC/Dox Film Festival Unveils Second Annual Lineup (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "The 97th Academy Awards | (2025)". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  9. ^ "Shorts 3: Instruments of a Beating Heart". Doc Edge. June 21, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  10. ^ "Instruments of a Beating Heart". Doc Edge. June 21, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  11. ^ "Music: Instruments of a Beating Heart". Indy Shorts Film Festival. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  12. ^ Norget, Susan (November 19, 2024). "The New York Times Op-Docs Debuts 'Instruments of a Beating Heart'". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  13. ^ "Shorts program Human Spirit". Doc NYC. November 15, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  14. ^ "Instruments of a Beating Heart". Doc NYC. November 15, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  15. ^ "Op-Docs Takes Home International Documentary Award", New York Times, December 10, 2024, archived from the original on December 16, 2024, retrieved December 16, 2024
  16. ^ Pedersen, Erik (November 14, 2024). "Cinema Eye Honors Film Nominations: 'Sugarcane' Leads With Six; Four Docs Tied With Five Apiece". Deadline. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  17. ^ Lewis, Hilary (January 23, 2025). "Oscars: Full List of Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
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