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The trailer for One SMILE Only -A Piece of Peace-, a documentary about recovery and the role of smiles in connecting people, was screened September 10 at an interfaith prayer service in New York marking the opening of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session.
The film follows Miyuki Shigeta, known as Miyuki, whose work includes smile education for young people. It draws on the experience of Ishinomaki, a city in Miyagi Prefecture devastated by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. According to a statement from production company M.snow Japan, the film examines how residents found ways to reconnect and move forward after the disaster.
Director Tomohisa Ishigami uses the image of Miyuki in samurai armor to convey the film’s theme of resolving conflict without violence. The production describes its central message as “SMILE=PEACE.”
The trailer was shown at Tillman Chapel in the Church Center for the United Nations during the annual interfaith prayer service. Composer Ricky Kej, who is working on the film’s theme song, “PEACE,” also performed at the event. Sumathy Ramakrishnan, known as Sumathy Ram, wrote the song’s lyrics and serves as the film’s executive producer for international strategy.
“A smile is an approach to peace superior to any weapon,” Ishigami said. “Together with Miyuki-sensei’s smile, we will deliver this message of peace to the world.”
Miyuki said the project grew from the experiences of people in Ishinomaki. “I hope our ‘SMILE’ reaches the hearts of people around the world as ‘A Piece of Peace.’ Peace can begin with just One SMILE,” she said.
The song and film are still in production. The filmmakers plan to submit One SMILE Only -A Piece of Peace- to international film festivals in 2027 and hold a Japan premiere at the Japan International Film Festival at Tokyo International Airport.
