Paradaisu byû

Apr 13 1985 N/A 1h 53m
Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Go Takamine's first theatrical feature is a pioneering work of Okinawan cinema, filmed almost entirely in Okinawan dialect. Taking place shortly before the resumption of Japanese sovereignty over Okinawa, Takamine’s film tacitly addresses the island prefecture's complicated history of occupation and feelings of dislocation through the story of a small community and its preparations for a wedding between a local girl and a Japanese teacher. On the periphery of these events is Reishu (Kaoru Kobayashi), who quits his job on a US military base and uses the extra time to catch snakes and play with ants – and get the bride-to-be pregnant. Takamine’s leisurely-paced film is full of uniquely Okinawan touches that mix in aspects of the island's folklore, accompanied by Haruomi Hosono’s spare and evocative score.

Plot

Set in Okinawa on the eve of reversion and filmed almost entirely in the endangered Okinawan language, the story revolves around a man who has quit his job at a U.S. military base and an ethnographer (acted by renowned Japanese musician HOSONO Haruomi) who attempts to marry a village woman in the traditional Ryukyu customs. Blurring the line between reality and fantasy, Takamine's signature style of storytelling has already taken shape in this feature film debut.

Written by

Go Takamine

Directed by

Go Takamine

Cast

Kaoru Kobayashi, Jun Togawa, Haruomi Hosono

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

Japan

Languages

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
45
Average Rating
6.8 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA