Journey to the Shore (岸辺の旅, Kishibe no Tabi) is a 2015 Japanese romantic drama film directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, starring Tadanobu Asano and Eri Fukatsu.[1] It is adapted from Kazumi Yumoto's novel Kishibe no Tabi. It screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, where Kurosawa won the prize for Best Director.[2][3][4] It was released in Japan on 1 October 2015.[5]

Journey to the Shore
Film poster
Directed byKiyoshi Kurosawa
Screenplay by
  • Kiyoshi Kurosawa
  • Takashi Ujita
Based onKishibe no Tabi
by Kazumi Yumoto
Starring
CinematographyAkiko Ashizawa
Edited byTsuyoshi Imai
Music by
Release dates
  • 17 May 2015 (2015-05-17) (Cannes)
  • 1 October 2015 (2015-10-01) (Japan)
Running time
128 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Plot edit

Mizuki (Eri Fukatsu) is a piano teacher who gives lessons to children. Her husband, Yusuke (Tadanobu Asano), has been missing for three years. He comes back home as a ghost and tells her that he died from drowning in the sea. His body disappeared at sea, eaten by crabs. Since then he has traveled through Japan and made friends with the living and other people "like him". He asks Mizuki to accompany him on a journey. Yusuke shows her the beautiful places he discovered and visit the people who have been kind to him.

Cast edit

Release edit

The film screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival on 17 May 2015.[6] It also screened at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival[7] and the 2015 New York Film Festival.[8] It was released in Japan on 1 October 2015.[5]

Reception edit

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 57% based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 6.21/10.[9] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 52 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[10]

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film an unfavorable review, saying: "Too much lethargic, unclear plotting and saccharine melodrama mean the gentle film is seldom as intriguing as its premise, even if Kurosawa as always provides arresting visual moments and has a commanding way of building atmosphere out of stillness."[11] Meanwhile, Maggie Lee of Variety said: "Fans of Kurosawa's earlier psycho-thrillers may desire more eeriness and visual panache, but those who've accepted the helmer's conscious change of tune and pace should be gently touched."[12] Derek Elley of Film Business Asia gave the film a 7 out of 10, commenting that Kurosawa "bounces back with a touching, offbeat love story between life and death."[13]

Cahiers du cinéma placed the film at number 10 on the "Top 10 Films of 2015" list.[14]

Accolades edit

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Cannes Film Festival 23 May 2015 Un Certain Regard Award for Best Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa Won
Asian Film Awards 17 March 2016 Best Supporting Actor Tadanobu Asano Won
Japanese Movie Critics Awards 26 May 2016 Best Actor Tadanobu Asano Won

References edit

  1. ^ Ma, Kevin (24 May 2015). "Kurosawa wins second Un Certain Regard prize". Film Business Asia. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  2. ^ "2015 Official Selection". Cannes Film Festival. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  3. ^ "Screenings Guide". Cannes Film Festival. 6 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  4. ^ Ford, Rebecca (23 May 2015). "Cannes: 'Rams' Wins Un Certain Regard Prize". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  5. ^ a b "浅野忠信、「岸辺の旅」初日舞台挨拶で深津絵里との"愛と絆"語る". 映画ナタリー. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  6. ^ "ドレスの深津、スキンヘッドの浅野が喝采を浴びる、黒沢清「岸辺の旅」カンヌ上映". 映画ナタリー. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  7. ^ Punter, Jennie (18 August 2015). "Sandra Bullock's 'Our Brand Is Crisis,' Robert Redford's 'Truth' to Premiere at Toronto". Variety. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  8. ^ "Main Slate". New York Film Festival. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  9. ^ "Journey To The Shore (Kishibe No Tabi) (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  10. ^ "Journey to the Shore". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  11. ^ Rooney, David (18 May 2015). "'Journey to the Shore (Kishibe no tabi)': Cannes Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  12. ^ Lee, Maggie (17 May 2015). "Cannes Film Review: 'Journey to the Shore'". Variety. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  13. ^ Elley, Derek (19 May 2015). "Journey to the Shore". Film Business Asia. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
  14. ^ Adams, Sam (27 November 2015). "Cahiers du Cinéma Names Top 10 Films of 2015". IndieWire. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  15. ^ "黒沢清監督に最優秀監督賞 カンヌ「ある視点」部門". 朝日新聞デジタル. 24 May 2015. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  16. ^ "浅野忠信&樹木希林、アジア・フィルム・アワードを受賞!!". 映画.com. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  17. ^ "浅野忠信、主演男優賞に輝き「期待以上」 新人賞・山田涼介は「貢献できる役者に」と気合". 映画.com. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2019.

External links edit