Japanese Story [M]

Feisty geologist Sandy lands the unwanted job of guiding a Japanese businessman, Hiromitsu, through various mines in the deserts of the Pilbara, with the purpose of trying to sell him some geological software that she and her company are developing. Hiromitsu mistakes her as his driver and demands that she guide him through the hostile deserts. As they trek further and further into the Western outback, they learn some home truths about life and identity: truths that open their minds and eyes until disaster strikes. 

Oh man this was harrowing! It’s a beautifully crafted piece of cinema with a fairly simple story gushing with emotional undertones, both enlightening and macabre. The performances are incredible, particularly that of Toni Collette, and the camera is used in a brilliant way that really creates that feeling of endless space and openness that is often commented on when looking at the Australian horizon. I’m telling you right now this movie is not for the faint: the physical and emotional shocks and turmoil that come to light are quite gruelling, not in a gory way or anything like that, but be prepared. I actually did feel sick in the stomach during a few scenes, so consider yourself warned. 

Feisty geologist Sandy lands the unwanted job of guiding a Japanese businessman, Hiromitsu, through various mines in the deserts of the Pilbara, with the purpose of trying to sell him some geological software that she and her company are developing. Hiromitsu mistakes her as his driver and demands that she guide him through the hostile deserts. As they trek further and further into the Western outback, they learn some home truths about life and identity: truths that open their minds and eyes until disaster strikes. 

I wish to first talk about the camera work in this film and the editing. There are some phenomenal sweeping shots of arid Australia in all its harsh and hostile glory, but one of my absolute favourite shots was one taken from behind the car as they’re driving along and even though the car is moving away, the huge rock formation is getting smaller with distance, and the shrubs and flora on either side of the road seem to be coming at you with great velocity, you don’t actually feel like you’re moving. This clever technique really creates a sense of place! It strongly establishes this feeling of openness and never-ending space and that is what is so important in movies such as this that are really about a place rather than characters. This movie is really about the desert and the stunning cinematography really captures and conveys the feeling: it’s as though you are actually there! 

Toni Collette stars as Sandy and she’s brilliant. She starts off all gritty and aggressive, sun-hardened and salty, but as the two spend more and more time in the desert there is this great sweetness and tenderness that begins to bloom. And I have to say that in the face of disaster and tragedy, she was absolutely mesmerising! 

Starring Gotaro Tsunashima, Matthew Dyktynski, Bill Young, George Shevstov, Justine Clarke, Lynette Curran, and John Howard, Japanese Story is an incredible moving film filled with arid landscapes, never-ending space, life, drama, comedy, romance, and tragedy. I would recommend that you don’t enter into watching it lightly because there are some real shocks to the senses. It’s a beautifully crafted piece of cinema that manages to achieve so much with so little.