A Very Straight Neck is a 2025 short film directed and written by Neo Sora, based on the 2019 graphic short story I Will Go Ahead by Momoe Narazaki. The film stars Sakura Ando as a woman who wakes up one day with a severe neck pain. It had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 13 August 2025, competing at the Concorso Corti d'Autore section[1], where it won the Pardino d’Oro Swiss Life for the Best Auteur Short Film.[2]
A woman wakes up with a severe neck pain and revisits memories about her childhood.[3] The film explores the body as a physical manifestation of emotional trauma.[4] It was based on Mamoe Nagasaki’s short story I will go ahead.[2]
Production
The film was commissioned by NOWNESS China,[2] and followed on from Sora’s awards success with her earlier film Happyend.[4]
In February 2025, it was reported that Parallax had acquired the film's international sales.[5]
Release
A Very Straight Neck had its premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 13 August 2025 at the Concorso Corti d'Autore section.[6]
The film’s Japanese debute was at the Osaka Asian Film Festival in late August 2025.[2]
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