Sixteen (2007)
A quiet, intimate Japanese drama about a teenage girl who trades her hometown for Tokyo and the uncertain dream of becoming an actress.
Sixteen - Movie Information
- Original Title: 16
- Release Year: 2007
- Directed by: Hiroshi Okuhara
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 16m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 26, 2007 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: jyu-roku (JP)
- Production Countries: Japan
Sixteen - Plot
A story of a 16-year old girl who comes to Tokyo aspiring to be an actress.
Sixteen - Trailer
See a glimpse of Saki's journey to Tokyo in the official trailer:
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Sixteen - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hiroshi Okuhara
Main Cast
- Ayu Higashi
- Tokio Emoto
- Mantaro Koichi
- Shunsuke Matsuoka
- Tarō Suwa
- Sanae Miyata
- Yuu Tokui
- Kiyomi Itō
- Takahisa Zeze
- Makiko Watanabe
Writers
- Hiroshi Okuhara
Producers
- Michio Koshikawa
Sixteen - FAQs
What is Sixteen about?
Sixteen follows Saki, a 16-year-old girl who leaves her hometown and heads to Tokyo with one goal: becoming an actress. The film traces her journey through the city's unforgiving entertainment world, capturing the vulnerability, ambition, and quiet resilience of a teenager navigating an adult landscape largely on her own.
Is Sixteen based on a true story?
Sixteen does not appear to be based on a specific true story or documented real-life events. Writer-director Hiroshi Okuhara crafted an original narrative, though the film's grounded, intimate tone gives it a strong sense of authenticity that feels drawn from real observations of youth and ambition in Tokyo.
Who plays the lead role in Sixteen?
Ayu Higashi plays Saki, the 16-year-old aspiring actress at the heart of the film. Tokio Emoto and Mantaro Koichi also appear in key supporting roles, with the ensemble cast helping to build the world Saki encounters as she pursues her dream in Tokyo.
Who directed the 2007 Japanese film Sixteen?
Sixteen was directed by Hiroshi Okuhara, who also wrote the screenplay and edited the film. This multi-hyphenate approach gives the movie a distinctive personal voice, with Okuhara maintaining tight creative control over the story's quiet, observational style from script to final cut.
What genre is Sixteen and who is it for?
Sixteen is a drama, specifically a coming-of-age story aimed at viewers who appreciate quiet, character-driven Japanese cinema. It shares thematic ground with films like One Million Yen Girl and Tokyo Family, making it a strong pick for fans of intimate, slice-of-life storytelling from Japan.
How long is the Japanese film Sixteen?
Sixteen runs for 76 minutes, making it a lean, focused watch. The compact runtime suits the film's stripped-back style — there's no padding here, just a direct, immersive portrait of a young woman's first steps into an uncertain future in the city.
When was Sixteen released in Japan?
Sixteen premiered in Japan on May 26, 2007. The film is also known by its Japanese transliteration title jyu-roku, and it stands as a quiet entry in the mid-2000s wave of intimate Japanese independent dramas exploring youth, identity, and the pressures of modern city life.
What are some movies similar to Sixteen?
If Sixteen resonated with you, try One Million Yen Girl (2008), Tokyo Family (2013), or What Maisie Knew (2013) for similarly intimate coming-of-age stories. Gracie (2007) and The Short History of the Long Road (2019) also explore young women finding their footing against the odds.
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