The Harimaya Bridge

Hariyama Bridge is a film about love, deeply ingrained racism and forgiveness all wonderfully filmed in Kochi, Japan.

The story follows a father, Daniel Holder (Bennet Guillory) who learns of his artist sons death in Japan. Daniel is a man who has a personal, deep seated dislike of the Japanese, nonetheless sets off to Japan to try and recover his estranged sons paintings. While in Japan he learns some surprising things about his sons life that force him to confront his feelings and change his future.

Whats nice about this movie is that it doesn't spend a lot of time on the tired theme of "a fish out of water", meaning that Daniels first arrival in Japan isn't spent on how out of place foreigners are in Japan and how unusual Japan can be. There is just enough camera work to show us that Daniel is indeed in a different world and what beauty there is to be seen.

What also is fresh about this story is that racism is spoken of, upfront and very clearly in a country that rarely admits that such things exist. At one point Daniel's helper Yuiko hints toward racism even amongst the Japanese themselves and how her life was altered because of it.

Some people may find the film slow going. Those that have lived in Japan will certainly not want to miss this. I myself have lived in Japan for more than 18 years and find the film all too real. Glad someone finally touched on a rarely seen topic.

As our daughter has moved to Japan, married a Japanese man, and are now a family with two of our four grandchildren, we feel very connected to Japan, and this very beautiful and touching movie indeed serves as a bridge between America and Japan . It feels very much like a well executed Japanese film.

The only reason I give it 9 stars rather than 10, is that even two years after Mickey's death, Daniel awkwardly insists that he is entitled to all of his son's artwork, even though most of it had already been gifted to close friends and associates (his widow inherited the remaining pieces). That just doesn't sit right with me - I could understand maybe requesting a couple of the inherited pieces.

I just saw this film at a preview screening last night in Tokyo, and I really loved it. I was reduced to tears several times, and I wasn't the only one in the audience who was sniffling. The story is not only moving but quite unique: It's about a black man who has come to Japan after his son dies here, and must take an unusual journey in the countryside as he attempts to make peace with his son's death and their past conflicts. As someone who has lived in Japan for many years, it's gratifying to see such a personal film set in this country but from an American director. Although there are some big stars, including Danny Glover, "Harimaya" feels more like a Japanese movie than a Hollywood one in its pacing, character interactions and atmosphere. The film is getting a fairly wide release in Japan, and I think it will provoke a lot of discussion. I encourage everyone to see it, especially those who feel connected with Japan. Itﾕs a beautiful, rewarding work.

I really enjoyed this film. It's the feature debut of Aaron Woolfolk. I'd seen one of his shorts before about a train station in Japan. But it's clear he has more to say!

The great Danny Glover gives an excellent performance in a supporting role, but it's Bennet Guillory who shines as a stubborn father who has to come to terms with his estranged son (played by Victor Grant). I was less familiar with the Japanese actors but now want to see more of them including Saki Takaoaka who is a big deal in Japan.

The film is beautifully shot with stunning cinematography. You really feel like you're in rural Japan (and San Francisco where parts of the film also take place). Check it out on Netflix, DVD or Bluray.

I'm an American living in Tokyo, and I'd been waiting for this movie to come out. It's gotten a lot of buzz since last year, so I was very interested in seeing it. Fortunately it more than lives up to the hype. It's a very beautiful and moving film, and I can't recommend it enough.

The story concerns an African-American man who hates Japan, and who has a rift with his son when the son decides to come teach English here. The son dies in an accident, and the father must come to Japan to retrieve his son's artwork. The film follows the father as he learns to come to terms with his son's death, and as he discovers things about his son's life in Japan.

What's remarkable is how much this movie plays in many ways like a Japanese film, even though director and writer Aaron Woolfolk is an American. I read in an interview that he once lived here and returns to visit often. I guess Japan has really rubbed off on him.

I wonder how this film will play in America. It might be regarded as a little slow. And I certainly don't mean "slow" in a bad or boring way. Actually, THE HARIMAYA BRIDGE moves much more rapidly and with more energy than your typical Japanese drama. But I can see some of my countrymen with their MTV-influenced attention spans not being able to put up with the reduced pace of the film. Which would be a real shame, since much of the film's beauty and artistry comes from its pace.

Nonetheless, I think the movie is a great achievement. Especially since this is Woolfolk's first full-length film. The outstanding writing and the inspired direction go hand-in-hand. This is one of those movies where you feel like you're getting true insight into the filmmaker's mind, heart, and soul. Moreover, the acting, the camera work, and the music are all top-notch. The story is something new and fresh. And the message of the film is really wonderful. All of these things add up to me giving THE HARIMAYA BRIDGE my highest recommendation.