Harakara

Having watched Yamada Yoji's classic Home from the sea, I was keen to find more from this great director. YesAsia had a Hong Kong version box set of some of his films. The Village was included in this set. Searching IMDb I was amazed this film hasn't yet been discussed. The story is about a remote Japanese village who are offered the chance for a touring troupe to visit and perform. It's up to the local youth group, led by Takashi, a reluctant farmer to decide if it's worth having the troupe perform (it's expensive to put the show on!). The film has a documentary feel to it in the style of Altman's Nashville. The Village is wonderfully acted and despite being over 2 hours long is totally absorbing. The true message of the film is revealed at the end with wonderful edited sequences. If you like Twighlight Samurai, it's well worth seeking out some of Yamada Yoji's earlier work.

This appears to be a labor of love. Its about a village which is given the opportunity to put on a musical. They would have to pay the overhead and, being that they are farmers and always busy and not rich, question the wisdom and feasibility of such an idea. A spokesperson for the acting troupe Ms. Kono lays out the whole thing and they must decide. You get little slices of rural life in Japan far, at least in sentiment, from Tokyo. The best thing about this film is that it has heart. The acting is good, but it is really about the simple storyline of outing on a show. Films rarely get made with such simplistic plots these days. Enjoy this little slice of what city people call "the simple life". I think you'll like it.