If you want to read my review of The Village, read this post. In ヴィレッジ, Yu Katayama works at a waste station, which is contaminating Kamon village’s rivers and soil. Rejected by everyone and pressured by his mother’s debts, he can’t stand being in that place anymore.
Yu Katayama (Ryusei Yokohama) worked at the landfill separating recyclable waste, was the victim of violent bullies and lived with her mother in a completely unhealthy house.
“You want to leave this village, don’t you?”
Misaki Nakai (Haru Kuroki) had just returned to the village, after 10 years working and living in Tokyo, to handle public relations for the landfill, run by a corrupt mayor.
“There was nothing in Tokyo for me.”
The mayor took bribes to allow the illegal dumping of infectious waste in the landfill and, conversely, Yu participated to earn extra money. When he was about to drop everything, Misaki returned to the village.
The Village: japanese movie review
Misaki didn’t understand why he still lived in the village and Yu didn’t understand why she had returned. But having her around, his childhood friend, gave Yu an injection of energy and opened a window of opportunity.
“You could have left. You had options, right?”
The village life was unbearable for Yu. Everyone in town rejected him because of a crime committed by his father and his mother spent everything he earned on gambling.
“There are no options. Not for me.”
One of Misaki’s marketing ideas for the Kamon Village landfill gave Yu the opportunity to get promoted, and so he left the job sorting recyclables. Sadly, he went from outcast to envy.
“He is the son of a criminal, right?”
Despite the promotion, Yu had to continue working, some nights, illegally dumping toxic waste. Because his mother went deep into loans.
“You didn’t do anything. But, you know, I also have to earn money, understand?”
Misaki was the only person who understood how unfair everyone was to Yu. All the rejection and bullying he suffered because of his father.
“You’ve always fought alone, haven’t you? I understand how you feel.”
Misaki also suffered abuse and rejection during the 10 years she spent in Tokyo. Through complicity, the friendship of childhood turned into the love of adults.
“I questioned why I was alive.”
The emergence of this love would cause serious problems for both of them. In addition, the police received a complaint about the illegal dumping of toxic waste in the landfill and, during the searches, a body was found buried.
The Village review: waste station
The Village is a Japanese film filled with social commentary. Corruption practiced at the landfill and people’s limited thinking are the most latent.
We are used to thinking that corruption is only present in big cities and involving large amounts of money. But a corrupt landfill destroys the soil, food and quality of life for all the people around. Including those who live in another city.
Another criticism is that, no matter if you are in a humble village or a large and developed city, there is always the possibility that there are idiots with limited horizons.
Why you should watch The Village
I won’t leave The Village ending explained or a download link here, but I think everyone has felt a little like Yu. Stuck in a place, where all you wanted was to get out. Get away from the people around you.
And don’t live that day-to-day anymore. In addition, social criticisms are always important things to discuss. For these and other reasons, I highly recommend this japanese film.
The Village trailer
I really feel that you will like this one. So I decided to do this Doraibu Mai Kā review. Go ahead, immerse yourself in the story, the environment and the soundtrack.
And come back later to tell me what you think in the comments. This is one of the most socially critical Japanese movies I’ve seen.
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