Characters:
Ayako has an independent, curious and adventurous personality. But, she is shy and fearful. She is also clumsy and easily distracted, which is one of the reasons why she gets lost. The only other character she trusts is Beru. Without Beru, Ayako feels uncomfortable and displaced.
Older Ayako is Ayako’s future self. We can see that Ayako, in her older version, is more content and comfortable with the feeling and literal sense of displacement. She is confident in herself whilst she goes down memory-lane through Ayako.
Beru, like Ayako, is also independent, curious and adventurous. She is mature and graceful in her manner. Although seemingly selfish, she helps Ayako achieve her wants and needs at the end. Thus, she has a guardian angel kind of vibe. Just as Japanese bobtail cats are known for, Beru assures prosperity, happiness, and good luck for Ayako.
Film Festivals:
Qatar Airways in-flight entertainment 2018 - present
Florida Animation Festival, Tallahassee, Florida, USA - June 2019
Cannes Film Festival - Cannes Short Film Corner, Cannes, France - May 2019
Imagination Lunchbox International Children's Film Festival, Baltimore, Maryland, USA - April 2019
Beirut International Children and Family Film Festival, Beirut, Lebanon - March 2019
Berlinale European Film Market, Berlin, Germany - February 2019
Ajyal Film Festival, Doha, Qatar - November 2018 and November 2019
IES Abroad's Study Abroad Film Festival, Chicago, Illinois, USA - November 2018