What Once Was

A young man, struggling to find work and purpose, is confronted by a fleeting temptation that leads him into an imagined future. Through memory, longing, and a single phone call, he discovers the courage to choose a different path.

  • Minoru Kaburagi
    Director
  • Minoru Kaburagi
    Writer
  • Minoru Kaburagi
    Producer
  • Koki
    Key Cast
  • Minoru Kaburagi
    Key Cast
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    かつてそこにあったもの
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 26 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 9, 2026
  • Production Budget:
    500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Japan
  • Country of Filming:
    Japan
  • Language:
    Japanese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Canon EOS C50
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Minoru Kaburagi

Minoru Kaburagi is a Japanese photographer and filmmaker based in Tokyo.

After working as a hairstylist in his early career, he moved to New York, where he spent ten years working as an advertising photographer. Since returning to Japan, he has photographed campaigns for international fashion and commercial brands while developing a personal filmmaking practice.

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Director Statement

His recent films explore themes of time, memory, family, and human presence. Through quiet observation and minimal narratives, he seeks to capture moments that often pass unnoticed in everyday life.

His works have been selected and awarded at international film festivals, including Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival and Berlin Indie Film Festival.