27-Year-Old Filmmaker's Debut Celebrates Childhood Wonder

At just 27 years old, Takuro Ijichi is already showing audiences how to see the world through fresh eyes again. His debut film "Vicissitude" takes viewers on a beautiful journey back to childhood wonder, using the high-pressure world of competitive baseball as an unexpected starting point.

Ijichi wore nearly every hat on set as director, writer, editor, and cinematographer, filming in his home region of Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan. The story follows Gaku, a high school student so focused on making the baseball team and going pro that he's lost sight of everything else. He endures brutal training and bullying while pushing away friends and a potential romance.

But this isn't just another sports drama. Ijichi uses Gaku's single-minded pursuit as a mirror for how we all lose our sense of awe somewhere between childhood and adulthood.

The film challenges viewers to ask themselves what they've sacrificed in their own relentless pursuits. When did ambition replace curiosity? When did success become more important than connection?

Why This Inspires

What makes "Vicissitude" special is how Ijichi frames his message without falling into empty platitudes. At an age when many filmmakers are still figuring out their voice, he's already mastered the delicate balance between inspiration and authenticity. The film looks stunning, shot during golden hour to create what critics are calling a "ravishing tone poem."

His approach proves that uplifting messages don't have to feel shallow or preachy. Sometimes the most powerful reminder is simply showing someone else's journey back to what matters.

For a first-time feature director tackling big philosophical questions, Ijichi has created something that resonates. His film suggests that rediscovering childhood wonder isn't about regressing but about remembering how to be fully present in our lives.