[okinami--Film-list-image]

2019 / 24 minutes

Directed by
Can Tamura (aka John Wells)
Country of production
Japan
Series
Shorts Collection 2

This film features a Japanese seaside ritual performed in honour of a marine deity, who is considered to hold the power to determine a safe and successful year of local fishing. This two-day event involves the carrying of large lantern floats by hundreds of people. Due to the ageing Okinami population, the settlement depends on outside volunteers to support the tradition. The film explores how social memory in Okinami is maintained and how a community is redefined through the combined and strenuous efforts – locals and outsiders – in ritual performance.

In the 2021 RAI Film Fest
Language and subtitles
Japanese with English subtitles
Location(s) depicted
Noto Peninsula
Region
Central Asia and Far East
Country
Japan
Keywords
Festivals/ Carnival Urban Folklore Myths/ Fairy tales