Japanese Story
Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox film
Japanese Story is a 2003 Australian romantic drama film directed by Sue Brooks. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.<ref name="festival-cannes.com">Template:Cite web</ref>
Plot
Template:Unreferenced section Sandy Edwards (played by Toni Collette) is a director in a company that designs geological software in Perth, Western Australia. Her business partner manipulates her into agreeing to act as a guide for a Japanese businessman visiting mines in the Pilbara desert, hoping that he will purchase the software. When Hiromitsu Tachibana (Template:Interlanguage link) arrives, he treats Sandy like a chauffeur, and he seems more intent on self-discovery in the wilderness than on buying computer software. At first, Sandy is angered by his reserved, demanding demeanor. On their first journey into the desert, Hiromitsu, feeling insecure, talks more on his phone with friends in Japan than he does to Sandy. He also insists that she drive further than planned. The terrain proves too much for the pair's vehicle, which becomes stuck in the sand. After a series of desperate attempts to free the vehicle, including digging a dead man anchor, their winch burns out. Sandy wants to use Hiromitsu's phone to call people who can rescue them, but Hiromitsu refuses. This forces them to spend the night stranded together. The next day, Hiromitsu, conscious that his refusal had placed them in danger, wakes up much earlier than Sandy and builds a track of sticks over which they can drive out of the sand; the manoeuvre is successful. Now that they are on the road again, they become more social and a friendship starts between them which, in isolated surroundings uninterrupted by their work, grows quickly and honestly. Later, at a motel, they have sex. Only after does Sandy learn that Hiromitsu has a wife and children in Japan.
On another journey to scenic spots, Hiromitsu and Sandy share a quiet moment and kiss each other, eventually having sex again. Afterwards, Sandy runs into a swimming hole nearby. Hiromitsu follows her, diving into the shallow water before she can warn him, and disappears. Sandy frantically calls for him and, after a moment, his lifeless body resurfaces. In shock at his sudden death, Sandy struggles to deal with the situation, dragging his body into their vehicle and carefully washing it before driving for hours to the nearest town. Back in Perth, Sandy cannot comprehend the violent end to her journey. Reality intrudes in the form of Hiromitsu's grieving widow, Yukiko, and Sandy tries to understand how Hiromitsu's life had ended before she had understood his place in hers.
Cast
- Toni Collette – Sandy Edwards
- Template:Interlanguage link (綱島郷太郎 Tsunashima Gōtarō) – Hiromitsu Tachibana
- Matthew Dyktynski – Bill Baird
- Lynette Curran – Mum
- Yumiko Tanaka (田中由美子 Tanaka Yumiko) – Yukiko Tachibana
- Kate Atkinson – Jackie
- Bill Young – Jimmy Smithers
- Reg Evans – Bloke in Row Boat
- George Shevtsov – James
- Justine Clarke – Jane
- Igor Sas – Fraser
- Mike Frencham – Blake
- John Howard – Richards
- Phil Bennett<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> – Barman
- Heath Bergersen – Petrol Bloke
- Peter Heather - Police Officer 1
- Ray Curren - Police Officer 2
- Peter Lester - Chef
Box office
Japanese Story grossed $4,520,000 at the box office in Australia.<ref>Section=Australian_Films_Domestic_Box_Office_of_All_Time Template:Webarchive</ref>
Reception and accolades
Japanese Story received mixed to positive reviews, currently holding an approval rating of 68% on Rotten Tomatoes.
| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) |
Best Film | Sue Maslin | Template:Won |
| Best Direction | Sue Brooks | Template:Won | |
| Best Original Screenplay | Alison Tilson | Template:Won | |
| Best Actor | Gotaro Tsunashima | Template:Nom | |
| Best Actress | Toni Collette | Template:Won | |
| Best Cinematography | Ian Baker | Template:Won | |
| Best Editing | Jill Bilcock | Template:Won | |
| Best Original Music Score | Elizabeth Drake | Template:Won | |
| Best Sound | Livia Ruzic | Template:Won | |
| Peter Grace | Template:Won | ||
| Peter Smith | Template:Won | ||
| Best Production Design | Paddy Reardon | Template:Nom | |
| AWGIE Award | Best Writing in a Feature Film - Original | Alison Tilson | Template:Won |
| Bangkok International Film Festival | Golden Kinnaree Award for Best Film | Sue Brooks | Template:Nom |
| Chicago International Film Festival | Gold Hugo - New Directors Competition | Template:Nom | |
| FCCA Awards | Best Film | Sue Maslin | Template:Won |
| Best Director | Sue Brooks | Template:Won | |
| Best Original Screenplay | Alison Tilson | Template:Nom | |
| Best Female Actor | Toni Collette | Template:Won | |
| Best Music Score | Elizabeth Drake | Template:Won | |
| Best Editing | Jill Bilcock | Template:Nom | |
| Best Cinematography | Ian Baker | Template:Won | |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Feature Film | Sue Maslin | Template:Won |
| Best Direction | Sue Brooks | Template:Won | |
| Best Script | Alison Tilson | Template:Nom | |
| Best Actor | Gotaro Tsunashima | Template:Nom | |
| Best Actress | Toni Collette | Template:Won | |
| Best Cinematography | Ian Baker | Template:Won | |
| Best Editing | Jill Bilcock | Template:Nom | |
| Best Music | Elizabeth Drake | Template:Nom | |
| Miami International Film Festival | FIPRESCI Prize | Sue Brooks | Template:Won |
| Satellite Award | Best Actress | Toni Collette | Template:Nom |
| Screen Music Awards, Australia | Best Feature Film Score | Elizabeth Drake | Template:Won |
See also
References
External links
- [https://www.imdb.com/{{#if: 0304229
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Template:Australian Film Institute Award for Best Film 1990-2009 Template:AACTAAward BestMusicScore 2000-2019
- Pages using IMDb title instead of IMDb episode
- Pages using IMDb title instead of IMDb episodes
- 2003 films
- APRA Award winners
- Australian adventure drama films
- 2000s adventure drama films
- 2003 romantic drama films
- Australian romantic drama films
- 2000s Japanese-language films
- Films set in Western Australia
- Films about interracial romance
- Films directed by Sue Brooks
- Japan in non-Japanese culture
- 2000s English-language films
- English-language romantic drama films
- English-language adventure drama films
- Best Film AACTA Award winners