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IMDbPro

Fear and Trembling

Original title: Stupeur et tremblements
  • 20032003
  • UnratedUnrated
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
4.5K
YOUR RATING
Fear and Trembling (2003)
  • Comedy
  • Drama
A Belgian woman looks back on her year at a Japanese corporation in Tokyo in 1990. She is Amélie, born in Japan, living there until age 5. After college graduation, she returns with a one-ye... Read allA Belgian woman looks back on her year at a Japanese corporation in Tokyo in 1990. She is Amélie, born in Japan, living there until age 5. After college graduation, she returns with a one-year contract as an interpreter. The vice president and section leader, both men, are boors,... Read allA Belgian woman looks back on her year at a Japanese corporation in Tokyo in 1990. She is Amélie, born in Japan, living there until age 5. After college graduation, she returns with a one-year contract as an interpreter. The vice president and section leader, both men, are boors, but her immediate supervisor, Ms. Mori, is beautiful and trustworthy. Amélie's downfall b... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
4.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Alain Corneau
  • Writers
    • Amélie Nothomb(novel)
    • Alain Corneau(scenario)
  • Stars
    • Sylvie Testud
    • Kaori Tsuji
    • Tarô Suwa
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alain Corneau
  • Writers
    • Amélie Nothomb(novel)
    • Alain Corneau(scenario)
  • Stars
    • Sylvie Testud
    • Kaori Tsuji
    • Tarô Suwa
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 44User reviews
    • 36Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 2 nominations

    Photos6

    Fear and Trembling (2003)
    Fear and Trembling (2003)
    Fear and Trembling (2003)
    Fear and Trembling (2003)
    Fear and Trembling (2003)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sylvie Testud
    Sylvie Testud
    • Amélieas Amélie
    Kaori Tsuji
    • Fubukias Fubuki
    Tarô Suwa
    Tarô Suwa
    • Monsieur Saitoas Monsieur Saito
    Bison Katayama
    • Monsieur Omochias Monsieur Omochi
    Yasunari Kondo
    • Monsieur Tenshias Monsieur Tenshi
    Sôkyû Fujita
    • Monsieur Hanedaas Monsieur Haneda
    Gen Shimaoka
    • Monsieur Unajias Monsieur Unaji
    Heileigh Gomes
    • Amélie enfantas Amélie enfant
    Eri Sakai
    • Fubuki enfantas Fubuki enfant
    • Director
      • Alain Corneau
    • Writers
      • Amélie Nothomb(novel)
      • Alain Corneau(scenario)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on Amélie Nothomb's real-life experience when she was living Japan in her early twenties in the early 1990s . The real-life events narrated in the film took place at the same time than those narrated in Tokyo Fiancée (2014) which depicts Amélie Nothomb's romance with her then-fiancé Rinri. However, Tokyo Fiancée's director Stefan Liberski set his film in the early 2010s.
    • Goofs
      When Amélie sorts all GmbH clients in the same folder, her superior explains her that "GmbH is like Ltd in English or SA in French". GmbH is not SA in French, but SARL (Société anonyme à responsabilité limitée).
    • Connections
      Features Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983)
    • Soundtracks
      Goldberg Variations
      (selections)

      Written by Johann Sebastian Bach

      Performed by Pierre Hantaï, harpsichord

    User reviews44

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    I Guess You Had To Be There
    Having been a foreigner working in a huge Tokyo office, much the same as the character Amelie, when I saw this film at the San Francisco Film Festival, I was hooked from the first scene onward. Having been denied attending the office Christmas Party because I was "part- time".... No, I am here 9-5, Monday to Friday! "But you are a foreigner, so you are considered part-time". 250 people went to the party. No foreigners....

    Then, when the boss came 'round to ask which Saturdays I would like to come in and work, I asked "Do all full-time employees have to come in on some Saturdays?"

    "Oh yes, we do."

    "Well then, since I am only 'part-time', I will not be able to come to work any Saturdays. Sorry...."

    This was a rare moment of zen revenge, which is what you will hope for when Amelie is subjected to life in HER Tokyo office. No, this is not Lost In Translation, which apparently did not enthrall the foreigners who were living in Tokyo, by the way. More like L.I.T. on steroids.

    This is a fable, based on reality. Tokyo can be intense. I never flew above the city, but I got twisted enough to wish it.

    By the way, the director told our audience that most of the film was done in an office in Paris, and that the lead actress did not know a word of Japanese before the film. This shocked me, as I was quite impressed with her pronunciation and speed. I thought she spoke Japanese, and felt humbled by her skill...

    To all the GAIJIN out there - see this film! For others, I would suggest Japanophiles and quirky movie lovers should go, and the Hollywood action types should pass.
    helpful•64
    6
    • kjacobs51
    • Sep 19, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 12, 2003 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Japan
    • Official sites
      • Cinema Guild (United States)
      • Official Site (France)
    • Languages
      • French
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Min japanska vän
    • Filming locations
      • Kyoto, Japan
    • Production companies
      • Canal+
      • Divali Films
      • France 3 Cinéma
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $126,684
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,007
      • Nov 21, 2004
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,305,213
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

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