Village

What a good surprise this drama from Japan, showing moving characters and relationship for a plot involving modern problems related to ecology. The main character is very interesting, I would say he is stealing the show, this poor guy for whom you fell the greatest empathy. Of course it can be seen as a slow motion story, and not necessarily understood my western countries audiences. A gloomy portrait of the today Japan maybe? A beautiful love story between this young man and his childhood girlfriend, gripping relationship. I am happy to have seen this movie, there should be more like this one, at least available in Europe, because I am sure there are plenty of them in distributors vaults around the world.

With a lot of tradition and local values, we have a very sentimental film with an arc of the rise of the main character YUU KATAYAMA (Ryusei Yokohama) who is arrested for an alleged crime that his father committed and the debts of his mother who is addicted to gambling and drinking. Depressed, quiet, stooped and sad YUU working as a recycler sees his life change when his childhood friend MISAKI (Haru Kuroki) returns to Kamon village to be director of the company. Between passions, betrayals and secrets we see the value of those who stay or those who try to live outside the village, we see the value of keeping a lie to remain someone important to the village but it is the same lie that took away the honor of your father, like a criminal throughout YUU's life in the small town. The plans and cuts very well fitted and creative, we know well when we are in the present or in the past in flashbacks, scenes of a very strong fight, in sequence with little notable cuts, we can feel the punches much better than in boxing movies, good performances, very sentimental cries. A realistic film that strangely puts us in a breathing hole in the middle of the rubbish recycling site and doesn't explain anything to us. And that starts with his ending, but I believe it wasn't necessary, and MISAKI's ending was a little poorly explained. But it's a good film with photography without vibrant colors that passes the local sadness, good direction, not so much in editing, but great performances. Very sentimental cries. A realistic film that strangely puts us in a breathing hole in the middle of the rubbish recycling site and doesn't explain anything to us. And that starts with his ending, but I believe it wasn't necessary, and MISAKI's ending was a little poorly explained. But it's a good film with photography without vibrant colors that passes the local sadness, good direction, not so much in editing, but great performances. Very sentimental cries. A realistic film that strangely puts us in a breathing hole in the middle of the rubbish recycling site and doesn't explain anything to us. And that starts with his ending, but I believe it wasn't necessary, and MISAKI's ending was a little poorly explained. But it's a good film with photography without vibrant colors that passes the local sadness, good direction, not so much in editing, but great performances.

I wasn't really sure what to expect when seeing this gem on Netflix and reading the synopsis. Is it a thriller? The plot sounded interesting.

It's a slow-paced, pretty dark movie about a quiet, depressed guy who has basically lost everything because of past alleged crimes and tries to work himself out of his grim life. When his childhood friend Misaki appears, a hopeful chapter seems to start off.

This is all packed into the setting of a small village where he works at an ecological recycling plant. Things start to get better. But do they really?

This is a stunning film. It's a highly involving, slow drama that you will not forget easily. The main actor Ryusei Yokohama is fantastic in this role. Cinematography, music, the setting, the actors are all great.

I don't understand the low rating here - maybe people were put off because it wasn't an action thriller film that they thought it is? If you're interested in great, dark dramas, definitely watch this one, highly recommended.

No pun intended - I could have called this poison too. Even though there is no literal poison in this - well there is I guess, but more in an environmental sense than in the on purpose ... come to think of it, if you put stuff in the earth, that will make it poisonous ... you kind of know about it, so it isn't without purpose .. yes? And no pun intended, just in case.

The acting is really good and we get a really silent type. Someone who does not seem to be able to get a break ... being put down. By his own mother (money wise) and his past (some .. let's call it incident) and many other factors.

But with the return of a woman, there seems to be a glimmer of hope. Could that actually be? Well you have to watch and see ... this is really well done. Cinematography and storytelling go hand in hand. The acting is subtle and there may be things that western sensibilities may see as .. wrong. But if you suspend your disbelief ... there is a lot to discover and be held in suspension over ..

As "Village" (2023 release from Japan; 121 min) opens,, we are introduced to a guy named Yu, living in a remote Japanese village. He is working in a waste facility where illegal dumping takes place regularly. Then one day Yu's childhood friend Misaki returns to the the village after having spent 10 years in Tokyo. At this point we are less than 15 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from writer-director Michihito Fuji ("The Journalist"). Here he assesses the life of a twenty-something guy living in pretty leak circumstances. I don't wan to say more about the plot so as not to spoil. I will simply comment that this is marketed as a "thriller" but it's really like like that. The movie is more of an emotional slowburner. Pay attention to the beautiful local Japanese theater play where everyone wears the same mask. I must say I wasn't really familiar with this style and kind of theater. Bottom line: this movie is definitely worth checking out even if it's not the most engaging of movies. Please note that, contrary to many listings of this as "The Village", the correct title is "Village" as noted in the movie's opening credits.

"Village" premiered on Netflix in mid-June, and I just got around to watching it the other night. If you are in the mood for an emotional slowburner from Japan, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.