Danica Davidson
February 22, 2023 
Makoto Shinkai’s anime movie Suzume will be hitting international theaters on April 14, but it turns out the film’s North American debut will occur before that. The New York International Children’s Film Festival (a.k.a. NYICFF), which will take place March 3-19, is now set to screen Suzume on March 5.
“We’re beyond thrilled to spotlight visionary director Makoto Shinkai’s artistic mastery” remarked Maria-Christina Villaseñor, the NYICFF Director of Programming, in a press release. “His films are compellingly emotive, graphically rich, and capture the zeitgeist of today’s youth as they navigate our increasingly tumultuous world. NYICFF is thrilled to screen Suzume for the first time for a North American audience and continue the long tradition of honoring his work at the Festival.”
The festival has previously screened his movies Your Name., Children Who Chase Lost Voices From Deep Below, and 5 Centimetres Per Second.
Here is the description given for the plot of Suzume:
“On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety—
‘Suzume’ is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation.
Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, ‘I’m looking for a door.’ What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.
—The stars, then sunset, and the morning sky.
Within that realm, it was as though all time had melted together in the sky…
Never-before-seen scenery, encounters and farewells… A myriad of challenges await her on her journey. Despite all the obstacles in her way, Suzume’s adventure shines a ray of hope upon our own struggles against the toughest roads of anxiety and constraints that make up everyday life. This story of closing doors that connect our past to the present and future will leave a lasting impression upon all of our hearts.
Drawn in by these mysterious doors, Suzume’s journey is about to begin.”
Source: Press Release
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
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