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IMDbPro

Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter

Original title: Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
  • 20142014
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
12K
YOUR RATING
Rinko Kikuchi in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
Kumiko is a frustrated Office Lady whose imagination transcends the confines of her mundane life. Kumiko becomes obsessed with a mysterious, battered VHS tape of a popular film she's mistaken for a documentary, fixating on a scene where a suitcase of stolen cash is buried in the desolate, frozen landscape of North Dakota. Believing this treasure to be real, she leaves behind Tokyo and her beloved rabbit Bunzo to recover it - and finds herself on a dangerous adventure unlike anything she's seen in the movies.
Play trailer2:05
6 Videos
81 Photos
  • Drama
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
12K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • David Zellner
  • Writers
    • David Zellner
    • Nathan Zellner
  • Stars
    • Rinko Kikuchi
    • Nobuyuki Katsube
    • Kanako Higashi
Top credits
  • Director
    • David Zellner
  • Writers
    • David Zellner
    • Nathan Zellner
  • Stars
    • Rinko Kikuchi
    • Nobuyuki Katsube
    • Kanako Higashi
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 70User reviews
    • 159Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 10 wins & 8 nominations

    Videos6

    Exclusive Trailer
    Trailer 2:05
    Exclusive Trailer
    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 0:59
    Teaser Trailer
    Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
    Clip 1:50
    Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
    Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
    Clip 1:32
    Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
    Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
    Clip 0:51
    Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
    Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
    Clip 1:52
    Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter

    Photos81

    Rinko Kikuchi, Nathan Zellner, and Brad Prather in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
    Rinko Kikuchi in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
    David Zellner in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
    Rinko Kikuchi in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
    Rinko Kikuchi in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
    Rinko Kikuchi and David Zellner in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
    Rinko Kikuchi in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
    Rinko Kikuchi in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
    David Zellner in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
    Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
    Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)
    Ichi Omiya in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rinko Kikuchi
    Rinko Kikuchi
    • Kumikoas Kumiko
    Nobuyuki Katsube
    • Sakagamias Sakagami
    Kanako Higashi
    • Michias Michi
    Ichi Kyokaku
    • Library Security Guardas Library Security Guard
    Ayaka Ônishi
    Ayaka Ônishi
    • Chieko (Young Office Girl)as Chieko (Young Office Girl)
    Mayuko Kawakita
    • Ms. Kanazakias Ms. Kanazaki
    Asami Tano
    • Office Ladyas Office Lady
    Ako Yoshida
    • Office Ladyas Office Lady
    Anna Wakamori
    • Office Ladyas Office Lady
    Risa Hotta
    • Office Ladyas Office Lady
    Hitomi Sawano
    • Office Ladyas Office Lady
    Maki Issô
    • Office Ladyas Office Lady
    Ariei Umefune
    • Office Ladyas Office Lady
    Takao Kinoshita
    • Dry Cleaning Clerkas Dry Cleaning Clerk
    Tetsuya Hayakawa
    • Dancing Coupleas Dancing Couple
    Mihoka Tomoda
    • Dancing Coupleas Dancing Couple
    Yumiko Hioki
    • Kumiko's Mother (as Rinko's Mother)as Kumiko's Mother (as Rinko's Mother)
    Yusei Fujii
    • Mayo (Michi's Child)as Mayo (Michi's Child)
    • Director
      • David Zellner
    • Writers
      • David Zellner
      • Nathan Zellner
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Kumiko is assisted by a well-meaning state trooper who brings her to a Chinese restaurant, hoping they could help translate. In real life, Takako Konishi was helped by a state trooper who really did contact Chinese restaurants in a vain attempt to help.
    • Goofs
      When Kumiko calls her Mother in the middle of the night and tells her she couldn't sleep, it should have triggered some reaction from the mother. Because of the time difference between Minnesota and Tokyo (14 hours), it is never nighttime in Tokyo when it is in Minnesota.
    • Quotes

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

    • 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).
    • Connections
      References Fargo (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Mechanic Nonsense
      Written by XiROH

      Performed by Buddy Girl and Mechanic

    User reviews70

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    "I'm like a Spanish Conquistador!"
    "Kumiko The Treasure Hunter" (2014 release; 104 min.) brings the story of Kumiko. As the movie opens, we see Kumiko walking alongside the beach with a map, eventually retrieving a VHS tape from under a rock. It turns out to be the movie "Fargo", and Kumiko becomes obsessed with it, and in particular the character played Steve Buscemi , who buries a briefcase full of money in the Fargo snow. Meanwhile, we witness Kumiko becoming more and more aloof and isolated in her day-to-day life, including her job as an Office Lady in corporate Japan. It's only when she is watching "Fargo" that she feels alive. Kumiko eventually decides to go to Fargo. To tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

    Several comments: the movie is directed, co-written by and stars David Zellner (his brother Nathan co-wrote the script). The story is a fantastical concoction that is loosely based on true events, and when I say "loosely", you should read that in the broadest possible meaning. The movie's initial 45 minutes play out in Tokyo, and Zellner captures the loneliness and isolation of the Kumiko character, still an Office Lady at age 29, perfectly. When Kumiko is caught trying to steal a huge world atlas from the library and is asked why, Kumiko passionately explains that "I am like a Spanish Conquistador, retrieving untold treasures!", to the shock of the library guard. The last hour of the movie plays out in the US, and captures the mood of the 'frozen tundra' and also the mood of the "Fargo" movie perfectly. When Kumiko is wondering the snowy fields, the movie becomes the anti-"Wild" movie: rather than finding herself, Kumiko becomes more and more lost. Please note that, like in "Wild", there are long stretches in this film where not a word is spoken. Knowing some of the background on the real life events on which this is loosely based, I was quite surprised with the ending offered by this movie… Last but not least, there is a great instrumental soundtrack, composed and performed by Austin-based indie band The Octopus Project.

    I head read about this movie, and was intrigued by it. Imagine my surprise when "Kumiko The Treasure Hunter" opened without any pre-release fanfare or advertising at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati this weekend. I went to see it right away and the Sunday matinée screening where I saw this at was attended okay but not great. Which is a shame, as this is a very nice 'little' movie that is quirky and off-center, yet always entertaining if not intriguing. IF that sounds like it might appeal to you, you cannot go wrong with this. "Kumiko The Treasure Hunter" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
    helpful•43
    12
    • paul-allaer
    • Apr 6, 2015

    FAQ1

    • Is this film about japanese woman Takako Konishi?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 20, 2015 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
    • Filming locations
      • Bemidji, Minnesota, USA
    • Production companies
      • Lila 9th Productions
      • Ad Hominem Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $623,383
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $34,114
      • Mar 22, 2015
    • Gross worldwide
      • $739,623
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

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