Village of Dreams (Japanese: 絵の中のぼくの村, Hepburn: E no naka no boku no mura) is a 1996 Japanese drama film directed by Yōichi Higashi. It is the story of twin brothers growing up in post-war rural Japan, based on an autobiographical novel by Seizo Tashima. The film won the Silver Bear for an outstanding single achievement at the 46th Berlin International Film Festival.
Contents
Premise
An autobiographical story depicting the childhood of twin picture book authors, Seizo Tajima and Yukihiko Tajima. The twins appear as themselves in a prologue, after which the film flashes back to their youth in the rural outskirts of Kyoto shortly after the end of World War II.
At 9 years of age, Seizo and Yukihiko lead a normal existence: they go to school, play pranks and enjoy afternoons fishing and capturing small animals. However, they also have active imaginations. They envision witches in trees, imps hiding in undergrowth and talking fish. The film explores the juxtaposition of these magical realist elements and the simplicity of their surroundings, as well as their relationships with their mother (a teacher), their father (a civil servant), their landlord and the new kid at school.
Awards and nominations
46th Berlin International Film Festival
Won: Silver Bear for Outstanding Single Achievement
12th Film Fest Gent
Won: Grand Prix for Best Film
47th Minister of Education's Art Encouragement Prize
Won
51st Mainichi Film Awards
Won: Excellence Film (shared with Gakko II, Kids Return and Sleeping Man)
21st Hochi Film Awards
Won: Best Actress (Mieko Harada)
39th Blue Ribbon Awards
Won: Best Actress (Mieko Harada)
70th Kinema Junpo Best Ten Awards
Best Ten List: 5th place
Readers' Choice Top 10 Japanese Films of the Year: 9th place
Won: Best Actress (Mieko Harada)