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Hole in the Sky

Original title: Sora no ana
  • 2001
  • 2h 7m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
205
YOUR RATING
Susumu Terajima in Hole in the Sky (2001)
Drama

The film tells the story of a Drive-In worker and a young tramp who has been left alone by her boyfriend somewhere in Hokkaido. Things seem to work out at the beginning but as time goes by t... Read allThe film tells the story of a Drive-In worker and a young tramp who has been left alone by her boyfriend somewhere in Hokkaido. Things seem to work out at the beginning but as time goes by the newly formed relationship between the tramp and the Drive-In worker starts to show the ... Read allThe film tells the story of a Drive-In worker and a young tramp who has been left alone by her boyfriend somewhere in Hokkaido. Things seem to work out at the beginning but as time goes by the newly formed relationship between the tramp and the Drive-In worker starts to show the workers harmful will of possession, which finally leads to the somehow sad but also optimi... Read all

  • Director
    • Kazuyoshi Kumakiri
  • Writers
    • Shin'ichi Fushima
    • Kazuyoshi Kumakiri
    • Randy Taguchi
  • Stars
    • Susumu Terajima
    • Rinko Kikuchi
    • Bunmei Tobayama
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    205
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kazuyoshi Kumakiri
    • Writers
      • Shin'ichi Fushima
      • Kazuyoshi Kumakiri
      • Randy Taguchi
    • Stars
      • Susumu Terajima
      • Rinko Kikuchi
      • Bunmei Tobayama
    • 3User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 1 nomination

    Photos

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    Top cast

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    Susumu Terajima
    Susumu Terajima
    • Ichio
    Rinko Kikuchi
    Rinko Kikuchi
    • Taeko
    • (as Yuriko Kikuchi)
    Bunmei Tobayama
    • Akira
    Shunsuke Sawada
    Shunsuke Gondo
    • Yamazaki
    • (as Syunsuke Gondo)
    Megumi Asaoka
    Ryo Kase
    Ryo Kase
    • Yuichiro Ogiwada
    • (as Ryô Kase)
    Daisuke Kizaki
    • Yuya
    Akemi Kobayashi
    • Naomi
    • Director
      • Kazuyoshi Kumakiri
    • Writers
      • Shin'ichi Fushima
      • Kazuyoshi Kumakiri
      • Randy Taguchi
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The second film directed by Kazuyoshi Kumakiri.

    User reviews3

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    A slow burn featuring embers of universal truth
    Ichio works at a rest stop somewhere in Hokkaido. He lives with his father, who goes on a road trip, leaving him in charge of the business. Takeo is abandoned by her boyfriend on the side of the road with only the clothes on her back. Ichio and Takeo were never destined to meet, but do anyway, forming an unexpectedly profound relationship that may or may not stand the test of time in this bitter-sweet, quiet film from Kazuyoshi Kumakiri.

    Based on a novel by Randy Taguchi, Susumu Terajima stars as Ichio, a disillusioned man whose mother unexpectedly left his father to raise him alone when he was a boy. She never returned, and Ichio has never gotten over the loss, carrying the weight of despair on his shoulders. He meets Taeko- played by Rinko Kikuchi- and begins to feel hope again for the first time in a long time.

    Terajima is arguably one of the most underappreciated actors working today. Generally consigned to supporting parts, he brings a gentle ease and assuredness to even the smallest role that leaves a lasting impression. His understated, natural style of acting is most fitting for Ichio, and Terajima imbues the character with an air of melancholy that is most affecting and believable. 'Hole in the Sky' is an atmospheric slow burn- at times there is very little dialogue. Terajima's powerful screen presence says much without his having to utter a word; and he carries the film masterfully.

    Kikuchi co-stars as the abandoned Taeko, delivering a performance just as strong as her Oscar nominated one in 'Babel.' Introverted, forlorn, she is a lost soul drifting through Hokkaido with no real direction in mind. She and Ichio find some sense of comfort being with one another- at least for a while- and she and Terajima play off one another wonderfully. They may not be in love, but they do seem to need each other- for the time being anyway. Also, in a supporting role as Terajima's father stars Bunmei Tobayama, who has little to do but does it very well.

    The story is as unexpected and open to interpretation as the relationship between the leads. Some might find the film a little hard to follow, as it relies on mood and atmosphere as much as dialogue to communicate the narrative. The stark but striking cinematography from Kiyoaki Hashimoto and Takahide Shibanushi reinforces and informs the tone of silent despair and longing in the film, and there are some beautiful shots within 'Hole in the Sky.' The score- from Akainu and Akira Matsumoto- is well-balanced and melodic, contributing to the aforementioned atmosphere and tone in scenes but never overshadowing them.

    'Hole in the Sky' is a technical and creative achievement on every level. Well-written, atmospheric and strongly acted, the film is moving and unpredictable. Susumu Terajima and Rinko Kikuchi deliver measured, complex performances and Kumakiri's restrained direction holds everything together nicely. It may be a slow burn, but it's one that contains embers of universal human truth that will warm the heart of any viewer.
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    1
    • reelreviewsandrecommendations
    • Sep 4, 2022

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • September 29, 2001 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Language
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • 空の穴
    • Production companies
      • Beam Entertainment
      • Flamingo
      • Groove Kinema
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      2 hours 7 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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