Bound for the Fields, the Mountains and the Seacoast

Two versions are available of this story of kids banding together to try to rescue their idol from being sold into prostitution immediately before WWII, one in color and one in B&W. While the latter is now unavailable, even the color version reveals how Obayashi musters much of classical Japanese film, particularly 1930s Shochiku and Yasujiro Ozu–as well as a bit of experimental film, particularly Shuji Terayama–to present both a playful critique of wartime social power and the Japan that was lost in its destruction, as well as Obayashi’s imaginary revenge against that structure. Even the idol looks a bit like Setsuko Hara!
 
1986, 135 min., 16mm, color, in Japanese with English subtitles. With Bengaru, Masako Motai, Yasufumi Hayashi, Haruhiko Saito, Takashi Sasano.

Part of Nobuhiko Obayashi: A Retrospective.

Tickets: $12/$9 Japan Society members, seniors & students

Box Office Policy