2007 / Japan & France / 97 min
Shigeki lives in a small retirement home. He feels comfortable and happy here with the other residents and the gentle and caring hospital staff.
Machiko, one of the home's staff pays special attention to him. However she is secretly haunted by the loss of her child.
After celebrating Shigeki's birthday Machiko decides to take him for a drive in the countryside. Making their way along the scenic back-roads the car is forced into a ditch by a land-slide and it is here that they embark on their journey of discovery together.
As Shigeki determinedly heads off into the forest, Machiko has no choice but to follow. After two exhausting days trudging through the dense wood they finally arrive at Shigeki's wife's tomb.
Festival de Cannes Press Conference & Closing Cceremony:
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/theDailyArticle/55677.html
Grand Prix, Festival de Cannes 2007
| Writer/Director | Naomi KAWASE |
| Cinematographer | Hideyo NAKAMO |
| Lighting Designer | Masami IMURA |
| Sound Recordist | Shigetake AO |
| Set Designer | Toshihiro ISOMI |
| Composer | Masamichi SHIGENO |
| Editor | Tina Baz |
| Yuji OSHIGE | |
| Executive Producer | Hengameh Panahi |
| Supported by | Agency for Cultural Affair (Government of Japan) |
| Centre National de la Cinématographie | |
| Co-produced by | Celluloid Dreams, Visual Arts College Osaka, KUMIE |
Shigeki UDA
Machiko ONO
Makiko WATANABE
Kanako MASUDA
Yoichiro SAITO