Kogitsune Helen (2006)

Director:

Keita Kono

Writers:

Minoru Taketazu (novel)
Masako Imai (screenplay)

Release Date:

18 March 2006 (Japan)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot:

Leaving school for the day, seven-year old Taichi finds a baby fox alongside a road in rural Hokkaido...

Plot Keywords:

Fox | Deaf | Blind | Friendship | Human Animal Relationship

Cast

Takao Ôsawa	...	Koji Yajima, Vet
Yasuko Matsuyuki	...	Ritsuko Ogawara
Arashi Fukasawa	...	Taichi Ogawara
Ryoko Kobayashi	...	Misuzu Yajima
Shunji Fujimura	...	Professor Uehara
Hideko Yoshida	...	Old woman
Ryoko Tanami	...	Teacher Yamaguchi
Sadao Abe	...	Police

Also Known As:

Helen the Baby Fox (International: English title)

Runtime:

Japan:104 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Singapore:G | Hong Kong:I | Finland:K-3

Filming Locations:

Hokkaido, Japan

Company:

TV Tokyo

Feel Good Movie

I'm pretty sure those who want to watch this movie will go for two things; cute little Helen the fox or the Handsome Takao Osawa. For me, what caught my attention about the movie was the ending theme song for the movie; Taiyo no Shita by the Remioromen which was suited the feel good atmosphere about the movie. (Saw the trailer and the music was the instant draw for me to the movie) A poor boy who is left behind by his mother who in pursuit of her own ambition, encounters a little fox after school one day. The two seem to have an interesting chemistry, forged because they are seen as "abandoned" by those who should be rightfully taking care of them.

The little fox herself (as she was named as Helen later) is a disabled one. Without the right care, you would expect her to fall prey to the surrounding dangers. Yet, the kindness of one little boy led to a completely different fate, one which will leave you smiling when you walk out of the cinema at the end.

I would recommend it for anyone who loves animal or if you're looking for a movie that has a lesson to be learnt at the end. A simple story that speaks in volume about the importance of caring for someone. If there was a movie that Disney wants to adopt into an American version ... I'm guessing this one has a shot.

Oh yah, forgot to mention this, the soundtrack is pretty good too. Aside from the song i mentioned at the beginning, the instrumental soundtrack is well done, and you will remember it for the visuals that accompany the music. I personally enjoyed it for more the audio experience, but that's just me. :)