Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (2014)

A jaded Japanese woman discovers a hidden copy of Fargo (1996) on VHS, believing it to be a treasure map indicating the location of a large case of money.

Director:

David Zellner

Writers:

David Zellner, Nathan Zellner

Stars:

Rinko Kikuchi, Nobuyuki Katsube, Kanako Higashi

10 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rinko Kikuchi	...	Kumiko
Nobuyuki Katsube	...	Sakagami
Kanako Higashi	...	Michi
Ichi Kyokaku	...	Library Security Guard
Ayaka Ohnishi	...	Chieko (Young Office Girl)
Mayuko Kawakita	...	Ms. Kanazaki
Asami Tano	...	Office Lady
Ako Yoshida	...	Office Lady
Anna Wakamori	...	Office Lady
Risa Hotta	...	Office Lady
Hitomi Sawano	...	Office Lady
Maki Issô	...	Office Lady
Ariei Umefune	...	Office Lady
Takao Kinoshita	...	Dry Cleaning Clerk
Tetsuya Hayakawa	...	Dancing Couple

Storyline

A jaded Japanese woman becomes convinced that a satchel of money buried and lost in a fictional film, Fargo, is in fact, real. With a crudely drawn treasure map and limited preparation, she escapes her structured life in Tokyo and embarks on a foolhardy quest across the tundra of Minnesota in search of her mythical fortune.

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Plot Keywords:

treasure | rabbit | language barrier | female protagonist | mental illness | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

20 February 2015 (UK)

Also Known As:

Kumiko

Filming Locations:

Minnesota, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$34,114, 22 March 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$621,127, 31 May 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lila 9th Productions,Ad Hominem Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In a Q&A at the London Sundance Film Festival 2014, the director (and his brother who was not present) claimed that the ambiguous introduction was heavily influenced by the beginnings of the James Bond films that they so loved as children.

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Goofs

When she is visiting Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, that is in Bemidji, MN which is located in Beltrami County. The Sheriffs car that pulls up says Tyrrell County on the side which doesn't exist in Minnesota.

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Quotes

Kumiko: I only need page 95. It is my destiny.

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Crazy Credits

The credits are almost entirely bilingual in English and Japanese -- even though the movie has never been released in Japan as of early 2016 (either in theaters, media, or internet streaming).

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Connections

Version of This Is a True Story (2003)

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Soundtracks

I'll Read You A Story
Written by Colleen (as Cécile Schott) (SACEM)
Performed by Colleen
Used courtesy of The Leaf Label
By Arrangement with Woodwork Music, Ltd.

User Reviews

An unusual American Dream story. 'Kumiko' continues 'Fargo's corruption of money theme.

I wonder what the Coen brothers think to this film - besides the fact they apparently didn't credit the use of the scenes from Fargo. Not that anyone would mistake it for anything else. Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter has one of the most absurd setups for such an otherwise archetypal story. If there wasn't such a well known case of it actually happening, it would be difficult to swallow. It's simultaneously an American Dream and a culture rejection story that would make Ozu proud. In her pursuit for unimaginable riches, Kumiko neglects all aspects and expectations of her life, burning bridges every step of the way. It's a harsh examination of modern standards for young Asian women subverted with a 'gold rush' trope.

Kumiko is of course the least likely suspect for this journey, but that makes it more engaging than anyone else. While it feels like she gets out of situations by literally escaping without much of a scratch too often, its frequency paints a portrait of how far she's getting to each point of no return. In true Coen fashion, its fleeting supporting cast are memorably eccentric and provide much of the humour while lead Rinko Kikuchi provides the gravitas of the drama, taking the bizarre quest sincerely in every step. The photography is exquisite, contrasting the two worlds but putting America in the same tone and pace as Japan. Kumiko is a great tribute to the Coen's study of the corruption of money, building on it in the most out of the box way.

8/10