Archeologist Sandy Edwards (Toni Collette), is assigned to baby sit Tachibana Hiromitsu (Gotaro Tsunashima), a visiting Japanese executive and show him round the red country of Western Australia’s remote Pilbara region, where some of the world’s largest deposits of iron ore are mined (and the oldest geological area in the world). She takes an instant dislike to the foreigner, and the cultural abyss between them seems to exaggerate the personal divide. When alone in the desert and in some danger, the two begin to discover things about each other and themselves.

"Japanese Story" Trailer

A powerhouse of a love story, Japanese Story is an emotional tour de force as it canvasses how love crosses all boundaries of culture, language, tradition and social taboos. The premise of two people from vastly different cultures being forced together may be simple, but the subtext and the consequences are far reaching.

This is the story of two people from two very different cultures: we explore the events from the time they first meet until the time when the superficial layers that divide them are stripped away. Intelligent direction and a perceptive script that hones straight to the heart, allow us to connect immediately with the two central characters.

Toni Collette is simply riveting and brings extraordinary depth and complexity to the role. Collette has never been better and her face mirrors her every emotion: her soulful eyes and infectious smile unforgettable in every frame. We feel her exhilaration, her anguish, her anger, and in a final exchange at the airport, there is an overwhelming mountain of emotions to contain.

Gotaro Tsunashima is perfect as the traditional Japanese businessman who finds what he is looking for – his performance is as contained as his character. This is a film that connects on all levels, as we watch the veneer that limits communication and understanding simply melt away. Silence is used as a powerful tool in the film’s second half, allowing the myriad of emotions to be shaken up in contemplation.

Like a see-saw, the mood constantly changes, and with it our perceptions. Although titled Japanese Story, the film could in fact be called Japanese-Australian story, touching on many issues from the sensitive war references to the sharp contrasts brought about from upbringing. Tachibana is a fish out of water in this land of few people and vast spaces, and it’s not until both Tachibana and Sandy are thrown together in a sink-or-swim situation, that they bond and discover a connection deep within that is unexpected, bearing in mind their more obvious differences.

When they are stranded in the middle of nowhere with nothing but red earth and sparse landscape to meet the eye, we get a glimpse of their poles-apart survival tactics. There’s a lovely sense of elation when they manage to rescue the car from the bog, and the immediate bond that is forged is transmitted from the screen straight to our hearts like an arrow. These are extraordinarily intimate scenes as we witness two souls being totally stripped. Spectacular vistas and locations make this visually impressive, with its splendid cinematography and the use of both traditional Japanese and Yothu Yindi music colours our senses. Working successfully on two levels, Japanese Story is a potently engaging film, offering food for thought with its multi-cultural themes and satisfying resolution.

JAPANESE STORY (M)

(Aus)

CAST: Toni Collette, Gotaro Tsunashima, Matthew Dyktynski, Lynette Curran, John Howard

DIRECTOR: Sue Brooks

SCRIPT: Alison Tilson

RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes

PRESENTATION: widescreen

SPECIAL FEATURES: Biographies, photo gallery, trailers

VHS DISTRIBUTOR: Fox Entertainment (Also on DVD)

VHS RELEASE: April 28, 2004