-SPOILER WARNING-
The film is set in Japan in the 1930s. Taro, on his first day at a new school is faced with one of his most difficult decisions in life. Asked by his teacher what it is most important for him in this world he answers bean cakes (botamochi). In the 1930s, Japan was at the height of her militarist development and by 1936 had invaded Manchuria. Students were taught that the Emperor was a descendent from the gods and that they were all his sons. Soldiers were trained to fight and die for the Emperor.
Taro refuses to change his answer and is threaten with expulsion. The teacher, outraged, sent him out of the classroom and orders him to sit, in the traditional Japanese way that is on his knees, on the corridor until his changes his mind. A girl, feeling sorry for him, offers him a cushion (zabuton). His mother is called and he changes his mind after being asked by the teacher. After meeting the girl, he now has a powerful reason to stay in the school. Back at home he invites the girl for botamochi. Now, asked by the girl, he has to decide whether he loves botamochi more than her. This a little pearl that won the Palm d'Or for best short film at Cannes this year. The film was a collaboration between students of the University of Southern California and the director's, David Greenspan, thesis film for his Master of Arts degree in television and cinema. It can also be an inspiration for future filmmakers who find difficult to get their projects financed. The cinematography reminds you of classic Japanese films specially the ones made during the so-called Golden Age of Japanese cinema during the 1950s. Ozu seems to be a major inspiration, in particular the sequence in the school's corridor. Shots of corridors were constant in Ozu's films. Recently I learned that the film was not actually shot in Japan but in LA. It really fooled me, not just for the use of location but for the use of sound. At the beginning of the film we can hear the sound of cicadas (semi). This sound brings to mind one thing: Japan in summer. Every single Japanese film that I have seen has used this sound to suggest this season.
The film is set in Japan in the 1930s. Taro, on his first day at a new school is faced with one of his most difficult decisions in life. Asked by his teacher what it is most important for him in this world he answers bean cakes (botamochi). In the 1930s, Japan was at the height of her militarist development and by 1936 had invaded Manchuria. Students were taught that the Emperor was a descendent from the gods and that they were all his sons. Soldiers were trained to fight and die for the Emperor.
Taro refuses to change his answer and is threaten with expulsion. The teacher, outraged, sent him out of the classroom and orders him to sit, in the traditional Japanese way that is on his knees, on the corridor until his changes his mind. A girl, feeling sorry for him, offers him a cushion (zabuton). His mother is called and he changes his mind after being asked by the teacher. After meeting the girl, he now has a powerful reason to stay in the school. Back at home he invites the girl for botamochi. Now, asked by the girl, he has to decide whether he loves botamochi more than her. This a little pearl that won the Palm d'Or for best short film at Cannes this year. The film was a collaboration between students of the University of Southern California and the director's, David Greenspan, thesis film for his Master of Arts degree in television and cinema. It can also be an inspiration for future filmmakers who find difficult to get their projects financed. The cinematography reminds you of classic Japanese films specially the ones made during the so-called Golden Age of Japanese cinema during the 1950s. Ozu seems to be a major inspiration, in particular the sequence in the school's corridor. Shots of corridors were constant in Ozu's films. Recently I learned that the film was not actually shot in Japan but in LA. It really fooled me, not just for the use of location but for the use of sound. At the beginning of the film we can hear the sound of cicadas (semi). This sound brings to mind one thing: Japan in summer. Every single Japanese film that I have seen has used this sound to suggest this season.
