I recently watched this film in a film class. Naomi Kawase has managed to combine portrait photography, documentary film, and video production with a spiritual narrative told more through silence and patience rather than intense dialogue and action. Patience is a required trait while watching this film as it uses darkness and stillness in a non-dramatic way quite often. You really must experience this film if you are fond of silent films, documentaries on Japan, or stories of family. This film is not a documentary, but her production/directing style is very similar due to the fact the entire cast, minus the leading female role, are non-actors and actual citizens of the town it was shot in.
Best/Worst Comparison: The Tibetan Book of the Dead - BBC Documentary
My favorite element: The song on the record which I assume is by Masamichi Shigeno.
