Midnight Swan Explained

is a 2020 Japanese drama film directed by Eiji Uchida, who also wrote the screenplay.^[1] It received nine nominations at the 44th Japan Academy Film Prize, including Director of the Year and Screenplay of the Year, winning for Picture of the Year, Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, and Newcomer of the Year.^{[2] [3]}

Plot

Nagisa is a transgender woman. Growing up as a man in Hiroshima, Nagisa faces prejudice and is ostracized by the society. She leaves Hiroshima and lives in Tokyo where she works as a dancer in a nightclub. Her distant niece, Ichika is a middle school student neglected by her mother. After being kicked out of her home, Ichika travels to Tokyo and starts living with Nagisa. Although initially reluctant, Nagisa takes care of Ichika and starts to develop feelings for her for the first time.

Reception

Writing for The Japan Times, Mark Schilling gave the movie a positive review, calling it "a gloomy drama, with moments of realism and grace".^[4] Matthew Hernon of the same publication praised the portrayal of transgender issues and individualism through dance.^[1]

Accolades

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
2020	45th Hochi Film Award	Best New Actor	Misaki Hattori		[5]
		Best Actor	Tsuyoshi Kusanagi		[6]
	Nikkan Sports Film Award	Best Newcomer	Misaki Hattori		[7]
		Best Actor	Tsuyoshi Kusanagi		[8]
2021	63rd Blue Ribbon Awards	Best Actor	Tsuyoshi Kusanagi		[9]
		Best Director	Eiji Uchida		[10]
		Best Newcomer	Misaki Hattori
		Best Picture	Midnight Swan
		Best Supporting Actress	Asami Mizukawa and Sei Matobu
	44th Japan Academy Film Prize	Newcomer of the Year	Misaki Hattori
		Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role	Tsuyoshi Kusanagi
		Picture of the Year	Midnight Swan
		Director of the Year	Eiji Uchida		[11]
		Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction	Hiroyuki Agatsuma
		Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography	Maki Ito
		Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction	Shingo Inoue
		Outstanding Achievement in Sound Recording	Hironori Ito
		Screenplay of the Year	Eiji Uchida
	30th Japanese Movie Critics Awards	Best Newcomer	Misaki Hattori		[12]
		Best Music	Keiichiro Shibuya
	75th Mainichi Film Awards	Best Music	Keiichiro Shibuya		[13]
		Best Actor	Tsuyoshi Kusanagi		[14] [15]
		Best Newcomer	Misaki Hattori
	23rd Far East Film Festival	Golden Mulberry Award (Gelso d'Oro)	Midnight Swan		[16]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hernon . Matthew . 'Midnight Swan' highlights transgender issues and self-expression through dance . . May 4, 2021 . September 17, 2020 .
2. Web site: Schilling . Mark . Japan Academy Awards Hand Top Honor to Indie Hit 'Midnight Swan' While 'Fukushima 50' Triumphs . . May 4, 2021 . March 19, 2021 .
3. Web site: 第44回『日本アカデミー賞』受賞結果一覧 . . May 4, 2021 . March 24, 2021 .
4. Web site: Schilling . Mark . 'Midnight Swan': A gloomy drama, with moments of realism and grace . . May 4, 2021 . September 24, 2020 .
5. Web site: 【報知映画賞】服部樹咲「運命」の役で新人賞 １４歳鮮烈デビュー「存在感のある女優になりたい」 . . May 4, 2021 . December 4, 2020 .
6. Web site: 第45回報知映画賞ノミネート . . May 4, 2021 .
7. Web site: 服部樹咲驚く新人賞 昨秋は普通の中学生／映画大賞 . . May 4, 2021 . December 28, 2020 .
8. Web site: 日刊スポーツ映画大賞 . . May 4, 2021 .
9. Web site: 「第63回ブルーリボン賞」受賞作品&草なぎ剛、長澤まさみ、成田凌、伊藤沙莉ら受賞者発表 . . May 4, 2021 . February 24, 2021 .
10. Web site: ブルーリボン賞「浅田家！」が最多5部門ノミネート、作品賞には「鬼滅の刃」も . . May 4, 2021 . January 4, 2021 .
11. Web site: 第44回 日本アカデミー賞 最優秀賞一覧 . . May 4, 2021 .
12. Web site: 日本映画批評家大賞 第30回受賞作品 . . May 4, 2021 .
13. Web site: 毎日映画コンクール「MOTHER」の大賞受賞に大森立嗣が驚き、奥平大兼も駆け付ける . . May 4, 2021 . February 17, 2021 .
14. Web site: 日刊スポーツ映画大賞 . . May 4, 2021 .
15. Web site: 『毎日映画コンクール』ノミネート発表 草なぎ剛、高橋一生、蒼井優、長澤まさみらが候補入り . . May 4, 2021 . December 23, 2020 .
16. Web site: MIDNIGHT SWAN (GIAPPONE) VINCE IL FAR EAST FILM FESTIVAL 23!. Far East Film Festival. July 5, 2021. it.