Laugh, Everyone!

Saito Tamon (50) is a second-generation performer of rakugo, the traditional Japanese art of storytelling. To avoid being compared to his talented father and master, Kanzo (75), Tamon shuns the traditional stories and performs new, original material only. But Tamon is unpopular with his audience and commands no respect from his peers. His earnings from rakugo amount to only a few thousand yen per month, forcing him to work part-time at night to make ends meet.

Meanwhile, dementia has forced Kanzo into retirement. Tamon’s mother has also passed away. Living alone with his father, Tamon struggles to provide the increasing amount of care Kanzo needs as his condition deteriorates.

One day, Hamamoto Kiko (28), a struggling young stand-up comedian, happens to see Tamon's performance at an old theater. She recognizes his original material from an old cassette tape that her mother Yoko (50) used to listen to when Kiko was a child. Acting on a whim, she decides to adapt Tamon’s story into a routine for her stand-up comedy. This chance encounter sets off a chain of events entangling Tamon, Kiko, and Yoko, and their lives begin to change.

  • Taichi SUZUKI
    Director
  • Taichi SUZUKI
    Writer
  • Shinsuke WADA
    Producer
  • Masato OKI
    Producer
  • Tomizo NOBE
    Key Cast
  • Nagiko TSUJI
    Key Cast
  • Reiko KATAOKA
    Key Cast
  • Tetsu WATANABE
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 45 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 18, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    Japan
  • Country of Filming:
    Japan
  • Language:
    Japanese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Taichi SUZUKI

Born in 1976 in Katsushika, Tokyo.
After graduating from Waseda University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences, he studied film production at “ENBU Seminar” under the guidance of film director Shinohara Tetsuo.

In 2012, he made his feature film debut with "The Brat!" (Japanese title: "Kusogaki no Kokuhaku"), which was released in mini-theaters nationwide. The film won an unprecedented four awards at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival: Special Jury Prize, Critic’s Award, Best Actor Award, and Audience Award. It was also screened at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival and New York's Japan Cuts.

In 2022, his second feature film "Life in the Fast Lane" (Japanese title: "Ikiteteyokatta"), received a wider release at theaters across Japan. The film starred former boxer and actor Kohata Ryu, with action direction by Sonomura Kensuke, receiving particular praise for its fight sequences.

In 2024, he completed his third feature film "Laugh, Everyone!" (Japanese title: "Minna Warae").

Other directorial and screenplay works include the TV dramas "Everyone Is Psychic!" (2013), "Panic In" (2015), the short film "Mogiri-san" (2018) shown at Kinema Omori, the omnibus film "THEATERS" (2023), and contributions to TV drama scripts including "Tofu Pro Wrestling" (2017) and "Nanba MG5" (2022).

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Japan has a 300-year-old cultural tradition of storytelling known as "rakugo", and it is still being passed down today. Rakugo storytellers sit in front of an audience and single-handedly perform various characters, narrating both humorous and emotional stories about the lives of everyday people.

One of Japan's most famous rakugo storytellers, the seventh-generation Tatekawa Danshi, once said, "Rakugo is the affirmation of all things human." The characters that appear in rakugo are all hopeless, ordinary people. They are selfish, lazy, addicted to alcohol, or consumed by jealousy. Through these characters, the audience laughs and sometimes is moved as they touch on the unchanging essence of humanity – the very essence of rakugo.

This film features a protagonist who clumsily navigates life in the world of rakugo. He is a truly hopeless person, much like myself, the director, and Nobe Tomizo, the lead actor. This film reflects how we actually live, so although some elements may seem twisted or uncomfortable to watch, I believe that’s precisely what only we can portray. We aimed to instill hope in the film, showing that even in a world where it is hard for some individuals to live, there is always a small ray of light to be found somewhere.

Amidst the ever-changing times, with new things constantly emerging around us, I want people around the world to enjoy this film that candidly portrays the timeless, true nature of humanity.