After the Japanese surrender to the U.S., ending World War II, the residents of a small fishing village feel great humility in the wake of the defeat. But some of the children — Ryuta and Saburo in particular — react with anger and confusion. Their uncertainty about the future is magnified when U.S. troops occupy the area and treat the villagers with kindness, adhering to Gen. MacArthur’s proclamation. Tensions ease, but profound complications still linger.
Tag: JAPAN
Okoma, a young lady working as a conductor with a bus company in Kofu Yamanashi, has an idea for her bus that could avert the dwindling number of passengers.
A landmark in African cinema, Souleymane Cissé’s film is set in the Malian empire of the 13th century and depicts the quest of a young son across the West African landscape to confront his father, a tyrannical magician. Although the film’s mythic narrative and arresting visual style lend it universal appeal, Yeelen’s use of Bambara, Fulani, and Dogon languages and its representation of power struggles across generations have been interpreted as a commentary on Malian politics of the postcolonial era.
A young girl named Mitsuki receives a ticket for a bus tour from her uncle. The tour appears to be normal (expect that everyone appears to be quite somber) but Mitsuki learns its true purpose. All passengers and the tour manager have a suicide pact to send the bus over a cliff so the families can collect the insurance money.
——UPGRADED——
Made in the early years of internet chat rooms, Yoshimitsu Morita’s mid-1990s standout follows a young salaryman in the city with the username “[Haru]” who becomes fast friends with a fellow named Hoshi who lives in a rural town. Their anonymity allows them to open up about their loves, struggles, and cinephilia. One day, Hoshi reveals that she is a woman, but that doesn’t damage the strength of their friendship. Eventually, the two finally decide to meet in person. Morita’s keen interest in new technology and an enduring love for trains come together to create a charming tale of connection in an alienating world.
Haru, an aging scriptwriter, has isolated himself somewhere in the woods of Nagano to work on his first novel. As the last surviving member of his kin, he intends to chronicle the family he grew up in.
Komori Tiaki is a budding tennis student, however one day in training her coach hits the ball into her eye accidentally. She is taken to hospital but it advised that she will never regain the sight in her eye. Her coach knows of a mysterious doctor ‘Blackjack’ who lives in a secluded house, who might be able to help. ‘Blackjack’ agrees to do the operation, but for a ‘substantial reward’!
When new, smart and sweet Tokyo girl, Rumiko, starts at a rural elementary school, Akira finds himself smitten, like every other male pupil. Newcomer’s popularity is contrasted with the less-tolerant treatment of scruffy Hideko, who, thanks to the arrival of a carnival freak-show in town, is nicknamed the Wolf Girl. Teachers and parents snootily consider the carny off-limits, but Akira is determined to find out whether Hideko really is a wolf girl.