Blonde (2025 film)
| Blonde | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Japanese | 金髪 |
| Directed by | Sakashita Yuichiro |
| Written by | Sakashita Yuichiro |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Yuta Tsukinaga |
| Edited by | Ryuichi Takita |
| Music by | Yuko Sebu |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | The Klockworx |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
Blonde (金髪, Kinpatsu/Kimpatsu) is a 2025 Japanese drama film written and directed by Sakashita Yuichiro. Starting Takanori Iwata, Tamaki Shiratori and Mugi Kadowaki, the film follows junior high school teacher Ichikawa, who tries to act like he knows everything, ignores problems, and pretends to be a grown-up, believing that would make life easier.[1][2]
The film had its World Premiere at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival on October 28, 2025 in International competition, where it won The Audience Award.[3]
Synopsis
Blonde is centered on Ichikawa, a 30-year-old junior high school teacher struggling with maturity. His life takes a sudden turn when dozens of students in his class dye their hair blonde in protest against strict school rules—a movement led by student Ita Midori. At the same time, Ichikawa’s girlfriend, Akasaka, confronts him about marriage, questioning his childish behavior. As the "Golden Hair Demo" draws national attention, Ichikawa joins forces with Midori to navigate the chaos and find a way forward.[4]
Cast
- Takanori Iwata as Ichikawa[5]
- Tamaki Shiratori as Ita Madori
- Mugi Kadowaki as Akasaka
- Maho Yamada as Nakamoto
- Kentaro Tamura as Komai
- Chika Uchida as Nishihara
Release
Blonde had its world premiere at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival on October 28, 2025 in International competition.[6]
The film is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025 in Japanese theatres by The Klockworx.[7][8]
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo International Film Festival | November 5, 2025 | Tokyo Grand Prix | Blonde | Nominated | [9] |
| The Audience Award | Won | [10] | |||
| Mainichi Film Awards | February 10, 2026 | Best Music | Hiroko Sebu | Pending | [11] |
References
- ^ "教室が金髪生徒だらけ…岩田剛典がボヤく「金髪」初映像、新キャストに白鳥玉季・門脇麦ら" [The classroom is full of blonde students... Iwata Takanori complains in the first video of "Blonde"; new cast members include Shiratori Tamaki and Kadowaki Mugi] (in Japanese). Natalie Movies. July 17, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ "Blonde". Tokyo International Film Festival. October 1, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ Shackleton, Liz (October 1, 2025). "Tokyo Film Festival Unveils Competition Line-Up With World Premieres From Rithy Panh, Amos Gitai, Chong Keat Aun & Zhang Lu". Deadline. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ "岩田剛典が生徒の集団デモに立ち向かう「金髪」予告、門脇麦から痛いところ突かれて唖然" [Iwata Takanori confronts a student demonstration in the trailer for "Kinpachi" (Golden), and is stunned when Kadowaki Mugi hits him in a sensitive spot.] (in Japanese). Natalie Movies. September 3, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ "岩田剛典が大人になりきれない教師役、映画「金髪」11月公開 監督は坂下雄一郎" [Iwata Takanori plays a teacher who can't grow up, in the film "Blonde" to be released in November, directed by Sakashita Yuichiro] (in Japanese). Natalie Movies. May 19, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ Matt Schley (October 1, 2025). "Tokyo reveals lineup with Chong Keat Aun, Rithy Panh, Amos Gitai world premieres". ScreenDaily. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ "金髪" [Blonde]. Eiga (in Japanese). July 17, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ "金髪" [Blonde]. Kinpatsu Movie (in Japanese). July 17, 2025. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ Naman Ramachandran (October 1, 2025). "Fan Bingbing's 'Mother Bhumi,' Zhang Ziyi's 'She Has No Name' Among Selections as Tokyo Film Festival Unveils Full Lineup". Variety. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ^ Abid Rahman (November 5, 2025). "Tokyo: 'Palestine 36' Takes Grand Prix, Zhang Lu's 'Mothertongue' Wins Two Prizes". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
- ^ "毎日映画コンクール「国宝」が最多10部門ノミネート! 主演俳優賞候補に吉沢亮、来年1・16各賞発表". Sponichi (in Japanese). December 19, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.