Wasabi – Not A Fairy Tale

Directed by Hemant Singh

Trailer

Wed Apr 10, 2024 – 5:30 pm | Hendricks Arts Center

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Wasabi – not a fairy tale

Directed by Hemant Singh
Narrative Feature
Japan | 147 min | 2023

Kano, a victim of bullying due to a scar on her face, discovers her hidden potential by carefully connecting the dots in the events around her. However, a dramatic shift in her life alters her reality.

The movie offers the raw and real struggles of those who are bullied and it does not shy away from portraying the harsh reality of the impact of bullying on a person’s psyche. It emphasizes how bullying can become a traumatic experience that lingers, easily triggered even in seemingly unrelated situations. Through its narrative, the story highlights the vulnerability of individuals who have been bullied and how it can shape their thoughts and actions and may lead to destructive consequences not just for themselves, but to the world around them. At the heart of this film lies a profound exploration of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. “Wasabi – not a fairy tale” vividly portrays the immense power of both hate and kindness in shaping the lives of individuals. It reminds us that within each person, there exists the capacity for both love and pain. Amidst this duality, the film emphasizes the irreplaceable importance of kindness, serving as a poignant reminder that it is an essential virtue for all of us.

Hemant Singh found himself inspired to write the script for Wasabi during the pandemic lockdown.

As he browsed the internet one day, he came across a video of a bullied child that immediately caught his attention. The global lockdown also provided Hemant with a moment of reflection, as he observed the frustration, anger, and deteriorating mental health of people worldwide. He also noted the increasing crime rates, such as rising hate crimes, police brutality, political assassinations, and ongoing wars, among others.

Hemant was determined to create a movie with a positive message that would inspire viewers to reflect on the importance of love and kindness in our world. While these events certainly influenced the direction of his story, the script itself is not linked to any specific incident or event.

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Wasabi - not a fairy tale - Poster

Wasabi - not a fairy tale - Hemant SinghHemant Singh
Directors

Hemant is from the enchanting northern part of Uttarakhand in India. His journey in the film industry began by appearing on a reality show on Channel V. Ultimately emerging victorious, he earned himself a thrilling chopper ride to Mount Everest and a delightful breakfast, followed by a week-long trip to Europe. In November 2011, he moved to Mumbai to pursue his life as an actor. However, his stint as an actor highlighted his lack of formal education in acting and pushed him to explore alternative avenues in the industry. In 2013, he found himself working as an assistant to an online editor at a company that specialized in making movie teasers and trailers.

This experience solidified his passion for filmmaking. Hemant then went on to join the world-renowned post-production studio Prime Focus (now known as DNEG), where he worked his way up from an assistant online editor to an online editor. In 2016, he moved to the vibrant city of Tokyo in Japan, where he worked various jobs. His last employer was a Tokyo-based media consulting firm that employed him as a contracted employee to work with Nissan. In 2018, Hemant began working as an independent freelance filmmaker. In 2023, with a decade of hard work, dedication, and determination, he achieved his dream of producing and completing his first feature film. Hemant is a passionate filmmaker who is driven by a deep desire to share thought-provoking stories and bring his creative visions to fruition.

Film Information

Director: Hemant Singh
Country: Japan
Year: 2023
Language:Japanese
Runtime: 147 min
Rated:  R

Credits

Writer: Hemant Singh
Producer: Nodoka Matsumoto, Hemant Singh
Cinematography: Hemant Singh
Editor:Hemant Singh

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Principal Cast

BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
BIFF | Beloit International Film Festival