[Fantasia ’21] ‘It’s a Summer Film!’ review: Delightful teen comedy gives its all

It’s a Summer Film! may be one of the more fun entries at this year’s Fantasia Film Festival. Barefoot is a high school student with a love for film, specifically samurai pictures. Unfortunately, the rest of the film club does not share the same passion she does. Barefoot is despondent, but a chance meeting with an odd stranger convinces her to move forward with her movie. 

Director Soshi Matsumoto has a lot going on in his feature length debut. It is a coming of age story, an homage to Chanbara movies, and even has bits of sci-fi. With so much happening, It’s a Summer Film! runs the risk of being all over the place. This may be the case at times, but the story is filled with so much unbridled joy, that few will take exception with this.

Comedies are as funny as they ever were, but few provide the sheer delight found in It’s a Summer Film! There are plenty of references for the film buffs in the audience and a cute story for those who just want to get away. Everything is wrapped up in a story that somehow manages to remain relatable. There is something for everybody. It is impossible to watch the movie without smiling. 

The script has fun with its characters and story. It pokes fun while paying tribute to romantic comedies, summer movies, and samurai films. At its core, the story is a high school rom-com. It’s a Summer Film! will invoke nostalgia in a way that only movies about being young and in love can do. It nonstop fun and provides an excellent diversion from today’s world.

The Fantasia Film Festival takes place in person and online from August 5 – August 25