Sabaibaru famirî (2016)

After a sudden worldwide power cut, a Tokyo family are caught up in the chaos as millions traverse the country in search of electricity.

Director:

Shinobu Yaguchi

Writer:

Shinobu Yaguchi (screenplay)

Stars:

Fumiyo Kohinata, Eri Fukatsu, Yuki Izumisawa

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Fumiyo Kohinata
Eri Fukatsu
Yuki Izumisawa
Wakana Aoi
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Masashi Arifuku
Mickey Curtis
Yasuo Daichi
Akira Emoto
Norika Fujiwara
Miki Hayashida
Tokie Hidari
Makoto Imazato
Jakujaku Katsura
Yoshiyuki Morishita
Jun Shison

Storyline

When a blackout occurs an ordinary family in Tokyo believes power would be restored shortly. As the lack of power persists and all sources of energy show no sign of returning to functionality the family heads out south to reunite with the parents of the wife and mother. The family learns and bonds as it treks south on its bicycle, which is the only alternative to being on foot.

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Plot Keywords:

tokyo | japanese woman | japanese girl | blackout | tokyo japan | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family

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Details

Official Sites:

Official Site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

11 February 2017 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Survival Family

Company Credits

Production Co:

Altamira Pictures Inc., Dentsu, Fuji Television Network

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Hard Times Come Again No More
Performed by Shanti

User Reviews

Saying this film is a comedy is problematic...it's so much more.

"Survival Family" is a very memorable and unusual film. However, simply calling it a comedy is a mistake. While there are a few comedic moments, the overall tone is NOT funny and there is far more depth and heart to the movie than you'll find in a mere comedy.

The story begins in Tokyo. A very ordinary (for better or worse) are the focus of the movie...and their lives are turned upside down when all power, including battery power, instantly vanishes. Now, obtaining food, water and living their everyday lives is becoming impossible...and the family decides to head out to the country where the mother's parents live. But how to get there? Trains, cars and other conventional forms of transportation are useless...and they are forced to bicycle their way out of this hellish city. The film chronicles there very long, scary and incredibly dangerous trek.

The main thing I got out of this film was NOT comedy nor laughs. Instead, I really appreciated the way the filmmakers show us just how impossible most of our lives would be in this sort of situation...with a disintegration of social rules and mores. As a result, the story really makes you think....and most comedies are not concered with making us think...just laugh.

In addition to opening up the viewers' eyes, the film works well because of the lovely acting...and especially the writing and direction of Shinobu Yaguchi. He really did a marvelous job...and it left me wanting to see more of his movies. Well worth seeing...clever, heart-felt and, occasionally funny.

By the way, in order to understand the sorts of price gouging that occurs in the film, it helps to know the value of the yen. In US dollars, 100 yen are worth about $.89....making a bottle of bottled water, post-apocalypse, cost about $20 in the film.