Japanese Story

Japanese Story is a 2003 Australian romantic drama film directed by Sue Brooks. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.

Plot Sandy Edwards (played by Toni Collette) is a director in a company that designs geological software in Perth, Western Australia. Her business partner manipulates her into agreeing to act as a guide for a Japanese businessman visiting mines in the Pilbara desert, hoping that he will purchase the software. When Hiromitsu Tachibana () arrives, he treats Sandy like a chauffeur, and he seems more intent on self-discovery in the wilderness than on buying computer software. At first, Sandy is angered by his reserved, demanding demeanor. On their first journey into the desert, Hiromitsu, feeling insecure, talks more on his phone with friends in Japan than he does to Sandy. He also insists that she drive further than planned. The terrain proves too much for the pair's vehicle, which becomes stuck in the sand. After a series of desperate attempts to free the vehicle, including digging a dead man anchor, their winch burns out. Sandy wants to use Hiromitsu's phone to call people who can rescue them, but Hiromitsu refuses. This forces them to spend the night stranded together. The next day, Hiromitsu, conscious that his refusal had placed them in danger, wakes up much earlier than Sandy and builds a track of sticks over which they can drive out of the sand; the manoeuvre is successful. Now that they are on the road again, they become more social and a friendship starts between them which, in isolated surroundings uninterrupted by their work, grows quickly and honestly. Later, at a motel, they have sexual intercourse. Only after does Sandy learn that Hiromitsu has a wife and children in Japan.

On another journey to scenic spots, Hiromitsu and Sandy share a quiet moment and kiss each other, eventually having sexual intercourse again. Afterwards, Sandy runs into a swimming hole nearby. Hiromitsu follows her, diving into the shallow water before she can warn him, and disappears. Sandy frantically calls for him and, after a moment, his lifeless body resurfaces. In shock at his sudden death, Sandy struggles to deal with the situation, dragging his body into their vehicle and carefully washing it before driving for hours to the nearest town. Back in Perth, Sandy cannot comprehend the violent end to her journey. Reality intrudes in the form of Hiromitsu's grieving widow, Yukiko, and Sandy tries to understand how Hiromitsu's life had ended before she had understood his place in hers.

In the ending, Sandy watches a Qantas aircraft, with Yukiko on board and the body of Hiromitsu's body in the cargo, taxi in preparation for takeoff.

Cast Toni Collette – Sandy Edwards (綱島郷太郎 Tsunashima Gōtarō) – Hiromitsu Tachibana Matthew Dyktynski – Bill Baird Lynette Curran – Mum Yumiko Tanaka (田中由美子 Tanaka Yumiko) – Yukiko Tachibana Kate Atkinson – Jackie Bill Young – Jimmy Smithers Reg Evans – Bloke in Row Boat George Shevtsov – James Justine Clarke – Jane Igor Sas – Fraser Mike Frencham – Blake John Howard – Richards Phil Bennett – Barman Heath Bergersen – Petrol Bloke Peter Heather - Police Officer 1 Ray Curren - Police Officer 2 Peter Lester - Chef

Characters

Okinawan Hawaiian academic Wesley Iwao Ueunten (上運天巌 Ueunten Iwao) described Hiromitsu as "as awkward, stiff, and effeminate—exactly the opposite portrayal of white males." - Profile - Cited: p. 293 (PDF p. 1)

Soundtrack The Ryukyuan song Tinsagu nu Hana (Chinsagu no Hana) is in the film's soundtrack. Shelley Scown was the vocalist, whilst Elizabeth Drake did the orchestral work. The song is used in the film's ending. Felicity Collins of La Trobe University wrote that some movie critics from Japan perceived the usage of the song as "a contentious issue" because the song specifically has an Okinawan character and yet is not something generally related to Japan, and "secondly because the fragility and beauty of this song, about upholding Okinawan identity, seems incongruous in an Australian film".Collins, p. 113 (PDF p. 3/9)

Box office Japanese Story grossed $4,520,000 at the box office in Australia.Section=Australian_Films_Domestic_Box_Office_of_All_Time

Reception Japanese Story received generally positive reviews, currently holding an approval rating of 70% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Acclaimed film critic Roger Ebert awarded the film 3 and a half out of 4 stars and wrote, "This is that rare sort of film that is not about what happens, but about what happens then." Similarly, writing for BBC.com, critic Nev Pierce, praised uniqueness of the story, arguing, "Most movies take you to a pre-ordained end: you know the guy will get the girl, the hero defeat the villain, the 'right' win through might. But this genre-blending picture is as unpredictable as real-life, taking you on an emotional journey where the departure point never suggests the final destination. It's wrong-footing and refreshing, you really are being told a story, not just seeing an on-screen echo of your expectations."

A modern day review by James Croot writing for Stuff NZ, praised the film, stating, "A far deeper tale.... Japanese Story is an emotional rollercoaster of a movie.".

Accolades Award Category Subject ResultAACTA Award(2003 AFI Awards)Best FilmSue MaslinBest DirectionSue BrooksBest Original ScreenplayAlison TilsonBest ActorGotaro TsunashimaBest ActressToni ColletteBest CinematographyIan BakerBest EditingJill BilcockBest Original Music ScoreElizabeth DrakeBest SoundLivia RuzicPeter GracePeter SmithBest Production DesignPaddy ReardonAWGIE AwardBest Writing in a Feature Film - OriginalAlison TilsonBangkok International Film FestivalGolden Kinnaree Award for Best FilmSue BrooksChicago International Film FestivalGold Hugo - New Directors CompetitionFCCA AwardsBest FilmSue MaslinBest DirectorSue BrooksBest Original ScreenplayAlison TilsonBest Female ActorToni ColletteBest Music ScoreElizabeth DrakeBest EditingJill BilcockBest CinematographyIan BakerInside Film AwardsBest Feature FilmSue MaslinBest DirectionSue BrooksBest ScriptAlison TilsonBest ActorGotaro TsunashimaBest ActressToni ColletteBest CinematographyIan BakerBest EditingJill BilcockBest MusicElizabeth DrakeMiami International Film FestivalFIPRESCI PrizeSue BrooksSatellite AwardBest ActressToni ColletteScreen Music Awards, AustraliaBest Feature Film ScoreElizabeth Drake

Japanese Story

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