The seishun eiga (youth film) is not exclusive to Japan — plenty of films from elsewhere deal with the joys and agonies of adolescence — but this popular genre has acquired certain only-in-Japan quirks.
For one thing, many seishun eiga directors are old enough to be the grandparents of their teenage characters. And their films are often exercises in nostalgia aimed more at the graying director's generation than present-day kids.
Born in 1961, Akira Osaki is the latest veteran director to attempt the genre, but his film "Mugen Foundation" — meaning "Limitless Foundation" — is entirely of the moment, if not obviously trendy. Made with the cooperation of Moosic Lab, a company that scouts up-and-coming actors and musicians through an annual competition, the film features Sara Minami, winner of Moosic Lab's 2018 best actress award, and singer-songwriter Cosame Nishiyama, recipient of its best musician prize the same year.