98-year-old director Kaneto Shindo awarded prize for latest film at Tokyo film festival

Director Kaneto Shindo has been awarded the Special Jury Prize for his latest film, "Ichimai no Hagaki," (A single post card) at the 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival.

The 98-year-old filmmaker had declared the movie as his last work.

"Ichimai no Hagaki" is a about the collapse of families after losing their fathers and breadwinners in the Pacific War, and the will of those families to continue to survive.

"We were impressed by the strong anti-war message and relentless pursuit of the theme," selection panel member and filmmaker Kichitaro Negishi said in praise of the work.

"War should never be waged, no matter the reason. War can destroy the families of those who leave to fight. I described this tragedy using my own experiences," said Shindo, adding, "Some people argue that war is necessary to survive as a country, but it's low-ranking soldiers, not the higher-ups, who fight and die in battlefields."

Shindo, a former screenwriter, is known for a number of highly-acclaimed movies including "Children of Hiroshima," "The Naked Island" and "A Last Note."

"For many years I have struggled to make ends meet, but I have always tried to hold my head up and devote myself to making movies," the filmmaker recalled.

Shindo is one of the few directors in the world to still be active at such an advanced age.

"I've grown weak, and I made the movie thinking it would be my last," Shindo told the audience during the film festival.

However, after winning the award, the director delighted his fans, saying, "I was lucky to win the prize. As long as there are people who support me, maybe another film is still possible."

"Post Card" is scheduled to hit movie theaters nationwide next year.