Japanese Story (2003)

Director:

Sue Brooks

Writer:

Alison Tilson (written by)

Release Date:

25 September 2003 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Against the background of an Australian desert landscape, so much space and so few people, Sandy, a geologist...

Plot Keywords:

Geologist | Journey | Australian | Japanese | Desert

Awards:

20 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Toni Collette	...	Sandy Edwards
Gotaro Tsunashima	...	Hiromitsu Tachibana
Matthew Dyktynski	...	Bill Baird
Lynette Curran	...	Mum
Yumiko Tanaka	...	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	...	Barman
Heath Bergersen	...	Petrol Bloke
Jules Hutchinson	...	Canteen Worker (as Jules Hutchison)
Kuni Hashimoto	...	Japanese Translator
Mark McAullay	...	Watson
Greg McNeill	...	Tom Goodwin
Stephen Parkin	...	Cargo Man
Dean Vince	...	Karaoke Singer
Peter Webb	...	Tony
Koji Kioka	...	Hiromitsu's Child in Photo
Nanami Kioka	...	Hiromitsu's Child in Photo

Directed by
Sue Brooks

Writing credits
Alison Tilson		(written by)

Produced by
Simon Beaufoy	....	associate producer
Mark Blaney	....	associate producer
Sue Brooks	....	co-producer
Bille Eltringham	....	associate producer
David Lightfoot	....	line producer
Magnus Mansie	....	co-line producer
Sue Maslin	....	producer
Alison Tilson	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Elizabeth Drake

Cinematography by
Ian Baker

Film Editing by
Jill Bilcock

Casting by
Dina Mann

Production Design by
Paddy Reardon

Art Direction by
Kelvin Sexton

Costume Design by
Margot Wilson

Makeup Department
Suzanne Meaney	....	hair stylist
Suzanne Meaney	....	makeup artist
Jan Zeigenbein	....	hair designer (as Jan 'Ziggy' Zeigenbein)
Jan Zeigenbein	....	makeup designer (as Jan 'Ziggy' Zeigenbein)

Production Management
Mike Montague	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mark Boskell	....	second assistant director
Rachel Evans	....	first assistant director (as Rachel Evans Artis)
Jeremy Grogan	....	second second assistant director
Brad Holyoake	....	third assistant director
Zena Loxton	....	assistant director attachment
Jessica Woodland	....	additional assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Allan Brown	....	props buyer
Allan Brown	....	set dresser
Erin Kealley	....	art department runner
Michelle Martin	....	art department coordinator
David Norton-Woad	....	assistant stand-by props
Michael O'Sullivan	....	stand-by props (as Mick O'Sullivan)

Sound Department
Steve Burgess	....	foley artist
Craig Carter	....	sound effects
Robert 'Gotch' Cutcher	....	boom operator (as Rob Cutcher)
Helen Field	....	facilities management: Soundfirm Australia
Chris Goodes	....	mix assistant
Peter Grace	....	sound recordist
Frank Lipson	....	sound effects
Gerard Long	....	foley artist
Robin May	....	sound engineer
Livia Ruzic	....	supervising sound editor
Peter D. Smith	....	sound mixer (as Peter Smith)
Peter Winkler	....	additional sound engineer

Special Effects by
David Trethewey	....	special effects supervisor

Visual Effects by
Mark Dickson	....	visual effects supervisor
Ross Mitchell	....	optical effects
Tony Poriazis	....	film recording supervisor
Martin Wiseman	....	visual effects producer

Camera and Electrical Department
Anthony Argiro	....	generator operator (as Antonio Argiro)
Tov Belling	....	focus puller
Michael Bespalov	....	assistant grip
Paul Fimister	....	camera attachment
Mark Goellnicht	....	Steadicam operator
Mark Goellnicht	....	camera operator
Chris Hansford	....	grip
Rob Hansford	....	key grip
Megan Lewis	....	still photographer
Katie Milwright	....	clapper loader (as Katie Robinson Milwright)
Chris Shanahan	....	best boy
Rory Timoney	....	gaffer
Chris 'Chalky' Chalk	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Masa Kokuro	....	casting assistant: Japan
Caatherine Meredith	....	casting assistant
Annie Murtagh-Monks	....	casting associate: Japan
Rika Nakamura	....	casting assistant: Japan
Georgina Pope	....	casting: Japan

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Amanda Irving	....	costume supervisor
Penny Saunders	....	costume buyer

Editorial Department
Billy Browne	....	editing attachment
Paul Cross	....	negative matcher
Pamela Hammond	....	head of post-production
Emily Klooster	....	post-production coordinator
Ian Letcher	....	color grader
Stanley Lopuszanski	....	high definition color grader
Cleo Myles	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Ricky Edwards	....	orchestrator
Peter Jones	....	musician: drums
Peter Neville	....	musician: percussion
Satsuili Odamura	....	musician: koto and shamisen (as Satsuki Odamura)
Naomi Ota	....	translator: song lyrics
John Phillips	....	musician: guitar
Christine Woodruff	....	music clearances

Transportation Department
David Bell	....	driver: Toni Collette
Kim Sexton	....	vehicle coordinator
Steve Wells	....	tracking vehicle: Shotmaker

Other crew
George Adams	....	completion guarantor: First Australian Completion Bond
Ian Anderson	....	laboratory liaison
Maurie Annese	....	script workshop participant
Jennifer Baird	....	consultant: geology (as Dr. Jennifer Baird)
John Bell	....	security assistant
Leni Binos	....	production accountant assistant: Moneypenny Services
Snowy Bostock	....	security officer
Sue Brooks	....	script editor
Hugh Cann	....	interpreter: Japanese
Rainey Carah	....	safety officer
Helen Clarke	....	caterer: Hel's Kitchen
Naomi Cleaver	....	production coordinator
Robyn Coombs	....	caterer: Hel's Kitchen
Emma Downey	....	rushes telecine operator
Jacqueline Fairfax	....	stand-in: Sandy
Rob Fisher	....	completion guarantor: First Australian Completion Bond
Tony Gibbs	....	insurance: HW Wood
Betty Grigg	....	assistant: Alison Tilson and Sue Brooks
Foster Hart	....	entertainment lawyer
Ryan Hodgson	....	unit assistant
Sacha Horler	....	script workshop participant
Jack Hunt	....	unit assistant
Jimmy Jack	....	stand-in: Hiromitsu
Adrian Kortus	....	safety officer
Lottie Lawrence	....	translator: Japanese
John Lonie	....	script editor
Bec Matthews	....	assistant to producer
Bec Matthews	....	production secretary
Monica Maughan	....	script workshop participant
Kate McCarthy	....	production runner
Bill Miller	....	unit assistant
Stuart Morrice	....	production runner: Western Australia
Kazuhiro Muroyama	....	script workshop participant
Donovan Norgard	....	location manager
Bobbie Salmon	....	location assistant
Caroline Scott	....	conforming assistant
Sophie Siomos	....	production accountant: Monnypenny Services
Greg Sitch	....	entertainment lawyer
Annette Smith	....	unit publicist
Corrie Soeterboek	....	completion guarantor: First Australian Completion Bond
Jo Stewart	....	post-production script
Susie Struth	....	continuity
Art Thompson	....	safety report
Duncan Thompson	....	script editor
Kate Thompson	....	nurse
Keith Thompson	....	script editor
Peggy Warren	....	logistics coordinator
Justine Wilcox	....	assistant: Toni Collette
Naomi Cleaver	....	production coordinator (uncredited)
Tony Nagle	....	post-production accountant (uncredited)

Thanks
Karin Altmann	....	special thanks
Wouter Barendrecht	....	special thanks: Fortissimo Film
Tait Brady	....	special thanks: Palace Films
Alan Brooks	....	special thanks
Tania Chambers	....	special thanks
Sharon Connolly	....	special thanks
John Crowley	....	special thanks: BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty. Ltd.
Yoko Davies	....	special thanks
Noelle Deschamps	....	special thanks
Claire Dobbin	....	special thanks
Claire Dubert	....	special thanks
Krystelle Gardiner	....	special thanks
Glenda Hambly	....	special thanks
Julie Heath	....	special thanks: BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty. Ltd.
Julie Marlow	....	special thanks
Ross Matthews	....	special thanks (as Ross Mathews)
Bob McCarron	....	special thanks
Desha Meaney	....	special thanks
Rob Meldrum	....	special thanks
Hisaaki Nagao	....	special thanks
Zaneta Onasz	....	thanks
Ursula Pagels	....	thanks
David Rapsey	....	special thanks
Sally Regan	....	special thanks
Roger Savage	....	special thanks
Sandra Schauby	....	special thanks
Charlotte Seymour	....	special thanks
Louise Taylor	....	special thanks
Raymond Taylor	....	special thanks
Alison Tokita	....	special thanks
Yurni Umiamaro	....	special thanks
Elke Wardaga	....	special thanks
Michael J. Werner	....	special thanks: Fortissimo Film
Mark Woods	....	special thanks
Natalie Worthington	....	special thanks: BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty. Ltd.
Antonio Zeccola	....	special thanks: Palace Films (as Tony Zeccola)

Production Companies

• Fortissimo Films (presented by)
• Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC) (presented by)
• Gecko Films Pty. Ltd.
• Showtime Australia (in association with)
• Lotteries Commission of Western Australia (developed and produced with the assistance of)
• Film Victoria (developed and produced with the assistance of)
• ScreenWest (produced with the assistance of ScreenWest and Lotterywest)
• Footprint Films (associate producer)

Distributors

• 1More Film (2005) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Alfa Films (2006) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Cathay-Keris Films (2004) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Pretty Pictures (2004) (France) (theatrical)
• Samuel Goldwyn Films (2004) (USA) (theatrical) (as Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Filmauro Distribuzione
• Lolafilms Distribución (Spain)
• Metro Tartan Distribution Ltd.
• Palace Films (Australia)
• Palisades Tartan (2009) (UK) (all media)
• Total Film Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2006) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2006) (Argentina) (VHS)
• United King Films (Israel)

Other Companies

• AAV Digital Pictures  post-production facilities
• Accuweigh Australia Pty. Ltd.  producers wish to thank
• Alpha Flight Services  special thanks
• Antler Luggage Australia  producers wish to thank
• Associatione éQuinoxe  developed by
• Auski Tourist Village  special thanks
• Australian Film Commission, The  developed with the assistance of
• BHP Billiton Iron Ore  special thanks
• Becton & Dickson Pty. Ltd.  producers wish to thank
• Bondi Studios  additional recording
• Brita Water Filters  producers wish to thank
• Burswood International Resort Casino  special thanks
• Cadbury Schweppes  producers wish to thank
• Camera Solutions  producers wish to thank
• Canon Australia  producers wish to thank
• Capricorn RoadHouse  special thanks
• Central Tafe  producers wish to thank (as Central Tafe Perth)
• City of Perth  producers wish to thank
• Commander Australia Ltd.  producers wish to thank
• Curtin University of Technology  producers wish to thank
• Demmer Galleries  producers wish to thank
• Film Australia  developed with the assistance of (as Film Australia)
• First Australian Completion Bond Company (FACB)  completion guarantor (as First Australian Completion Bond)
• Fortissimo Films  special thanks
• Gekkeikan Swift & Moore  producers wish to thank
• HW Wood  insurance
• Heinz Australia  producers wish to thank
• Hel's Kitchen  catering
• Hertz Australia  producers wish to thank
• Hewlett Packard Australia Ltd.  producers wish to thank
• Hill & Knowlton  producers wish to thank
• Indigenart  producers wish to thank
• Japanese Consulate  producers wish to thank
• Kathmandu Pty. Ltd.  special thanks
• Kodak  motion picture products
• Leica Australia  producers wish to thank
• Lightworks  edited on
• Maptek Pty. Ltd.  special thanks
• Margaret River Beverages  producers wish to thank
• McGraw Hill Australia Pty. Ltd.  producers wish to thank
• Melbourne Title Co.  titles
• Mescute Inn  special thanks
• Moneypenny Services  production accounting (as Moneypenny Services)
• Motorola Australia  producers wish to thank (as Motorola)
• Mount Newman Joint Venture  special thanks
• Move  original soundtrack released on
• Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co. Ltd.  producers wish to thank
• Nestle Australia Ltd.  producers wish to thank
• PB Foods Ltd.  producers wish to thank
• Palace Films  special thanks
• Panavision Australia  camera and lenses (as Panavision)
• Peter Carter  producers wish to thank
• Peter Waterhouse  producers wish to thank
• Phenomena at Digital Pictures  opening titles
• Pilbara Native Title Service  special thanks
• Pocketphone Communications  producers wish to thank
• Qantas Airways  special thanks (as Qantas)
• Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia  producers wish to thank
• Sanitarium Health Food Company  producers wish to thank
• School of Earth & Geographical Sciences  producers wish to thank
• Shire of East Pilbara  special thanks
• Shire of Roebourne  special thanks
• Smith Snackfood Company, The  producers wish to thank
• Soundfirm  sound post-production (editing facilities)
• South Australian Film Corporation, The  developed with the assistance of
• Stage & Screen Travel  special thanks
• Strathfield Group  producers wish to thank
• The Joinery  editing facilities
• Western Australian Department of Mineral & Petroleum Resources  producers wish to thank (as WA Department of Mineral & Petroleum Resources)
• Westlake Airports Corporation  special thanks
• Willager Hotel  special thanks
• Woodstock Studios  music recorded at

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality and language

Runtime:

Australia:110 min | France:105 min (Cannes Film Festival) | USA:100 min (TV version) | Argentina:107 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English | Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | UK:15 | USA:R | Argentina:13 | Malaysia:18SX (uncut version) | Malaysia:U (edited version) | Canada:PG (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Perth Airport, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Company:

Fortissimo Films

Soundtrack:

Chinsagu No Hana

Story for both of us

This is as much an Australian story as a Japanese one. We are not about to turn Japanese, but our close economic relationship over the last 50 years has to some extent transcended the cultural gap that divides us, and the bitterness of World War 2. On one level, this is a very personal story of two people from different cultures who become closer than they might have imagined. On another level it examines two very different cultures tied together by economic necessity. These themes are played out in a truly awe- inspiring ancient landscape, which, as others have remarked, is a character on its own.

I've not been to the Pilbara, but I've been to places like it elsewhere in Australia, and they tend to have the effect of reminding you of the fragility of your existence. The Aborigines (represented here by only a gas station attendant) regarded themselves as belonging to the land and here you can see why. It's not clear what Tachibana Hiromitsu, the rich businessman's son, is looking for in the desert, but he certainly feels its power. Just why Sandy the tough female geologist comes to harbour tender feelings towards him is not evident either; perhaps it's the mothering instinct at work- he's not an adaptable kind of guy and perhaps she senses his vulnerability.

Apart from the firm refusal to turn this film into a romantic comedy, despite some `When Harry Met Sally' moments, there are several other things going for it. First there is Toni Collette's entirely convincing performance which overcomes some weaknesses in the storyline (and improbabilities in her character). She has a lot of ground to cover, from boredom to hilarity, from dislike to intimacy, and from terror to melancholy.

Second, the cinematography fully exploits the scenery without detracting from the story. Much of `Japanese Story' was filmed around Port Headland in the Pilbara, but it's not a tourist brochure. Third, even the minor parts are played with precision (eg John Howard as the BHP man and Yukimo Tanaka as Tachibana's wife). It's difficult to judge just how effective Gotaro Tsunashima is – you'd need to be Japanese, I guess, and anyway the script is from an Australian, Alison Tilson. To my eyes he seems real enough, if we accept he's from a very privileged and sheltered background. It's interesting that Sandy seems to be the initiator of their intimacy (he doesn't resist!).

I think this film would hold up well anywhere. It has more than the usual emotional content for an Australian film, an intriguing and poignant story, good acting, and it's not too long. The admission price is also considerably cheaper than an air ticket to Port Headland.