# Midnight Swan

Midnight Swan (ミッドナイトスワン, Middonaito Suwan) is a 2020 Japanese drama film directed by Eiji Uchida, who also wrote the screenplay. 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.

## 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.

## Cast

* Tsuyoshi Kusanagi as Nagisa
* Misaki Hattori as Sakurada Ichika
* Asami Mizukawa as Saori Sakurada
* Tomorowo Taguchi as Mama Yoko
* Sei Matobu as Mika Katahira
* Shunsuke Tanaka as Nagisa's colleague
* Kaito Yoshimura as Nagisa's colleague
* Reo Sanada as Nagisa's colleague
* Rinka Ueno as Rin
* Eriko Sato as Rin's mother
* Yusuke Hirayama as Rin's father
* Toshie Negishi as Nagisa's mother

## Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 5 critics' reviews are positive.
Writing for The Japan Times, Mark Schilling gave the movie a positive review, calling it "a gloomy drama, with moments of realism and grace". Matthew Hernon of the same publication praised the portrayal of transgender issues and individualism through dance.

### Accolades

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