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Reviews of Recent Independent, Foreign, & Documentary Films in Theaters and DVD/Home Video
RED PERSIMMONS
Watching Red Persimmons is like driving along a long straight road in Japan on a
comfortably sunny day. It is a quiet, slow and uncomplicated journey. But as you ride on, you
find yourself surprisingly at ease. And pertinent to the Japanese philosophy, the beauty of this
film is only found where it cannot be seen.
Red Persimmons is a real-life portrayal of a slowly vanishing remote village in
Yamagata, Japan. Life here is supported by the processing and trade of dried persimmons, a
traditional snack. However, as modernization sets in, the market is decimated, as is the culture of
this village. "But this is a natural process," says Shinsuke Ogawa, the late director, in his film.
"And I felt the need to record this quietly disappearing Japanese culture."
Ogawa starts out by showing the peeling and drying of the persimmons, elaborating with
anecdotes of how the tools used came to be. "My husband invented this notched knife for
me because I kept cutting my thumb," says one old woman of the village, smiling as she recalls
the memories of her beloved late husband. The notched knife and geared peeling machine are
innovations made in this village, and the people proudly talk of their part in the change. After the
persimmon is peeled and dried, it is bought by traders, packaged and sent to different regions in
the country. It is a simple process, but each person who takes part in it has his or her own story to
tell - the essence of the film that makes it uniquely interesting.
Throughout the film, the people's hidden love and devotion for persimmons, culture and tradition
very delicately permeate the film. It is modestly seen in the hard-working hands, shy smiles, and
sparkling eyes of these villagers. The film makes no strong statement, but living up to Ogawa's
wish, it turns out to be an authentic depiction of a beautiful part of Japanese life. Hazuki Aikawa, journalist, director of the documentary Yancha
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