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A young instructor leads a student across the dance-school floor in Shall We Dance? (1996), directed by Masayuki Suō

1996 |Shall we ダンス?

Shall We Dance?

A film by Masayuki Suô

About the film

Masayuki Suô’s Shall We Dance? is a charming and deeply human exploration of loneliness, self-discovery, and the quiet pursuit of happiness. The film follows Shohei Sugiyama, a successful but emotionally unfulfilled salaryman who becomes drawn to a dance studio and its enigmatic instructor Mai. What begins as a secret attempt to escape the routines of everyday life gradually becomes a journey toward confidence, connection, and personal transformation. Blending gentle comedy with heartfelt drama, Suô turns ballroom dancing into a graceful metaphor for communication, intimacy, and the courage to embrace change. Beloved for its warmth and sincerity, Shall We Dance? remains a modern Japanese classic and a moving celebration of ordinary people finding unexpected joy.
Director
Masayuki Suô
Cast
Kôji Yakusho
Tamiyo Kusakari
Naoto Takenaka
Eri Watanabe

Booking Inquiries

Official 30th-anniversary 4K restoration poster for Shall We Dance? (1996), directed by Masayuki Suō, distributed by Odyssey Classics

Screenings

Screening locations to be announced.