We asked HIROBA to bring these words to life in film. HIROBA is a video studio that has had a relationship with CITIZEN for over ten years. This relationship began with the production of the installation film “Light is Time,” created together with architect Tsuyoshi Tane.
CITIZEN BASELWORLD 2015 "Expansion Time"
CITIZEN BASELWORLD 2016 "Horizontal Time"
The structure of the film began with a survey and interviews with all the designers. Based on the survey, Kazumichi Miyabe and Sakiko Tagawa from HIROBA conducted interviews over several days. Through these conversations, each designer’s thoughts about what they feel and what they value when designing watches under the concept of “Designing Emotion” were drawn out.
The voices of the designers recorded during these interviews are actually used in the film. The designers’ voices form a single narrative flow, interwoven with scenes from the everyday lives of people living in the present.
The scenes of designer interviews and sketching were filmed in the oldest building on the company premises, called “Building No. 1.” Although it is no longer in use, this is the place where the production line for our very first watch bearing the “CITIZEN” logo (the 16-type pocket watch) was located—a place that can be called the origin of our manufacturing. The scent of industrial oil from the era when the machinery was running still lingers, and soft light streams in through the lattice glass frames, creating a memorable atmosphere.
Interior stylist Chifuyu Iwasa arranged the space in Building No. 1 by bringing in tools and samples that designers usually use, transforming it into a space that symbolizes CITIZEN’s manufacturing spirit inherited over a long history.
The background music used in the film is “Caterina’s Hymn,” written and composed by haruka nakamura. haruka nakamura has previously provided music for CITIZEN films produced by HIROBA. Their musical style seems to resonate with CITIZEN’s earnest and quiet passion for watchmaking. The lyrics “a prayer in your hands,” which appear in the film, seem to serve as a bridge between our feelings and those who wear our watches.
Throughout the film, there are scenes where designers raise their wrists wearing watches. Director Miyabe explains, “For the designers, this gesture symbolizes the determination and will that went into making the watches. For viewers and for those living through this world, I hoped it would serve as a beacon or a cheer, conveying an image that encourages people.”
The finished film far exceeded the image we had in mind when we first made the request, resulting in a miraculous work filled with prayers for those living through this world.
Watch the full film here
Designing Emotion | For Those Who Live Through This World
This short film was selected as a finalist in the Film Division B Category at the 2024 64th ACC TOKYO CREATIVITY AWARDS.
Film Credits
Planner & Director: Kazumichi Miyabe (HIROBA)
Camera: Kazumichi Miyabe, Takashi Fukui
Interior styling: Chifuyu Iwasa
Hair & Makeup: Yoshiko Itagaki
Production Support: Rika Seino (HIROBA), Tetsuro Hori, Shunsuke Sato
Producer: Sakiko Tagawa (HIROBA)
Color Grading: Yuto Onishi (L'espace Vision)
MA: Wataru Saito (Studio Interfield)
MUSIC: baobab + haruka nakamura “Caterina’s Hymn” Lyrics & Composition: haruka nakamura
Cast: Akane Natsume, Saikyo Satoshi Motoori, Hiroshi Negishi, Hairi Shimojima, Chiaki Shimomichi, Shiori Nogami, Koji Hosogai
Costume Cooperation: suzuki takayuki
Equipment Cooperation: SIGMA Corporation
*Almost all scenes were filmed using cinema lenses provided by SIGMA Corporation. The unique gentle color tones and the fusion of modern technology in these images seem to reflect CITIZEN’s approach to manufacturing, gently enveloping our history and feelings.
Photos in the article (without black bands)
Kazumichi Miyabe (HIROBA) / Shunsuke Sato