The Harimaya Bridge (2009)
- IMDb page: The Harimaya Bridge (2009)
- Rate: 5.7/10 total 101 votes
- Genre: Drama
- Release Date: 13 June 2009 (Japan)
- Runtime: 120 min
- Filming Location: Kochi, Japan
- Budget: $2,000,000(estimated)
- Gross: $54,473(USA)(17 September 2010)
- Director: Aaron Woolfolk
- Stars: Bennet Guillory, Saki Takaoka and Misa Shimizu
- Original Music By: Kazunori Maruyama
- Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Writing Credits By:
- Aaron Woolfolk written by
(in alphabetical order)
Known Trivia
- A scene from “The Harimaya Bridge” was publicly performed in 2003 at a gala event honoring up-and-coming writers. Danny Glover played the role of Daniel and CCH Pounder performed the role of Daniel’s sister-in-law Natalie, whose character later evolved into Daniel’s niece Lindsey.
- Though deceased in “The Harimaya Bridge,” the character Mickey is very much alive and featured as the central character in the short films “Eki” (The Station) and “Kuroi Hitsuji” (Black Sheep). “Eki,” a comedy, takes place two weeks after Mickey first arrives in Japan. “Kuroi Hitsuji,” a drama, takes place after Mickey has been in Japan for six months.
- The romantic relationship between Mickey and Noriko that is at the center of “The Harimaya Bridge” can be seen in its earliest stages in the short film “Kuroi Hitsuji” (Black Sheep).
- The characters Mariya and Kayo Takeuchi were named after Japanese singer/songwriter Mariya Takeuchi, one of writer/director Aaron Woolfolk’s favorite singers.
- Mickey, Noriko, and Emi appear as the three central characters in the short film “Kuroi Hitsuji” (Black Sheep).
- Japan has several regional dialects, and the one in Kochi Prefecture – called Tosa-ben – is widely regarded as one of the more distinct ones. With its own unique accent, intonations, and vocabulary, Tosa-ben is known throughout Japan as one of the most difficult Japanese dialects to master. Wanting to be as authentic as possible, the director insisted that the Japanese characters speak in Tosa-ben. Thus, several consultants were used throughout the production to help the actors.
- The actual Harimaya Bridge sits in the middle of Kochi City, Japan, and can be seen in the film.
- Several images of Kochi Prefecture’s favorite son, Japanese historical figure Ryoma Sakamoto (1835-1867) can be seen throughout “The Harimaya Bridge.” Sakamoto sought to overthrow Japan’s feudal system, and was assassinated in Kyoto at the age of 32.
- Though set at the University of California at Berkeley, the concert scene was filmed at the African American Art & Culture Complex in San Francisco. The building opened in 1973 and was originally called the Fulton Street Cultural Center. The first activities in the new facility were a series of community theater productions featuring The Harimaya Bridge stars Bennet Guillory and Danny Glover, as well as Delroy Lindo and others.
- Danny Glover’s birthday was the same night the concert scene was filmed. During the first take, when the director said “action”, instead of playing the music for the scene the orchestra played Happy Birthday, followed by a cake being brought onto the set. In his remarks to the cast and crew, Glover spoke of how he and Bennet Guillory had performed in the building 35 years earlier when it first opened as a community center and theater.
Plot: After the sudden death of his estranged son in rural Japan, an American man must go there to claim some important family items. While there, he discovers some secrets his son left behind. | »
Story: After the sudden death of his estranged son in rural Japan, an American man must go there to claim some important family items. While there, he discovers some secrets his son left behind.
FullCast & Crew
Produced By:
- Danny Glover known as executive producer
- Tim Harms known as line producer: San Francisco unit
- Muneyuki Kii known as co-producer
- John Kim known as executive producer
- Tatsuya Kimura known as co-producer
- James Lane known as associate producer
- Ko Mori known as producer
- Chikako Nakabayashi known as line producer
- Lee Rudnicki known as associate producer
- Aaron Woolfolk known as producer
- Naoshi Yoda known as executive producer
FullCast & Crew:
- Bennet Guillory known as Daniel Holder
- Saki Takaoka known as Noriko Kubo
- Misa Shimizu known as Yuiko Hara
- Danny Glover known as Joseph Holder
- Victor Grant known as Mickey Holder
- Sakura Thomas known as Mariya
- Misono known as Saita Nakayama
- Hajime Yamazaki known as Kunji Inoue
- Miho Shiraishi known as Kayo Takeuchi
- Honoka known as Emi Osaki
- Yukiko Kashiwagi known as Ms. Kubo
- Toshiyuki Kitami known as Mr. Kubo
- Peter Coyote known as Albert Tunney
- A'da Alison Woolfolk known as Lindsey Holder
- Junkichi Orimoto known as Tomoki Shide
- Akira Hamada known as Principal Shimura
- Rico E. Anderson known as Grant Holder
- Michael T. Coleman known as Ross
- John Gallagher known as Mark
- Miho Ninagawa known as Ms. Osaki
- Kiyotaka Terauchi known as Shinto Priest
- David Ramadanoff known as Orchestra Conductor
- Marc McTizic known as Young Daniel
- Kailon Loud known as Young Mickey
- Aya Kazuki known as Teacher #1
- Yoshie Yamasaki known as Waitress
- Shuji Shiroshita known as Sake Store Owner
- Sayoko Uga known as Flower Shop Owner
- Noriko Sano known as Inoue's Wife
- Yuko Wada known as Shide's Wife
- Koji Kariya known as Government Official #1
- Rikumi Nishimoto known as Government Official #2
- Noriko Omura known as Neighbor #1
- Yoshiki Yamamoto known as Neighbor #2
- Hisao Miyauchi known as Neighbor #3
- Teruaki Konishi known as Neighbor #4
- Fukutaro Nishimori known as Elderly Man
- Minoru Yamamoto known as Mr. Nakasone
..
Supporting Department
Makeup Department:- Gaea Bogue known as hair stylist: San Francisco unit
- Gaea Bogue known as makeup artist: San Francisco
- Kirsten Coleman known as assistant hair stylist: San Francisco unit
- Kirsten Coleman known as assistant makeup artist: San Francisco
- Sayoko Koyama known as assistant hair stylist
- Sayoko Koyama known as assistant makeup artist
- Masami known as hair stylist
- Masami known as makeup artist
Art Department:
- Atom Gray known as art director: San Francisco
- Shohei Imamura known as property master
- Michael John Lapid known as art department assistant: San Francisco (as Michael Lapid)
- Timothy Andrew Phelan known as property master: San Francisco
..
Company
Production Companies:
- Eleven Arts
- Laterna
- Booster Project
- SSD
Other Companies:
- 1/2 Un-Demi wardrobe
- CopyCat Music Licensing music clearance and licensing
- Crystalia wardrobe
- Diable wardrobe
- Fantasysta wardrobe
- Figaro Club Formal wardrobe
- JP Studio soundtrack
- Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs funding
- Juniper Post post-production sound services
- KP wardrobe
- Liberal wardrobe
- Love El wardrobe
- NICE Day post-production
- Nikkatsu Studio Center post-production sound services
- Trussardi wardrobe
Distributors:
- SSD (2009) (Korea) (theatrical)
- T-Joy (2009) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Eleven Arts (2009) (USA) (all media) (sales)
- Gravitas Ventures (2011) (USA) (video) (VOD)
..
Other Stuff
Release Date:- France 21 May 2009 (Cannes Film Market)
- Japan 6 June 2009 (Kochi)
- Japan 13 June 2009
- USA 12 March 2010 (limited)
- UK 13 February 2011 (Keswick Film Festival)
..
Filmography links and data courtesy of The Internet Movie Database
The Harimaya Bridge (2009) Related Movie
5 Comments
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30 Mar 2012, 4:44 am
I just saw this film at a preview screening last night in Tokyo, and Ireally loved it. I was reduced to tears several times, and I wasn't theonly one in the audience who was sniffling. The story is not onlymoving but quite unique: It's about a black man who has come to Japanafter his son dies here, and must take an unusual journey in thecountryside as he attempts to make peace with his son's death and theirpast conflicts. As someone who has lived in Japan for many years, it'sgratifying to see such a personal film set in this country but from anAmerican director. Although there are some big stars, including DannyGlover, "Harimaya" feels more like a Japanese movie than a Hollywoodone in its pacing, character interactions and atmosphere. The film isgetting a fairly wide release in Japan, and I think it will provoke alot of discussion. I encourage everyone to see it, especially those whofeel connected with Japan. Itﾕs a beautiful, rewarding work.
30 Mar 2012, 4:44 am
I'm an American living in Tokyo, and I'd been waiting for this movie tocome out. It's gotten a lot of buzz since last year, so I was veryinterested in seeing it. Fortunately it more than lives up to the hype.It's a very beautiful and moving film, and I can't recommend it enough.
The story concerns an African-American man who hates Japan, and who hasa rift with his son when the son decides to come teach English here.The son dies in an accident, and the father must come to Japan toretrieve his son's artwork. The film follows the father as he learns tocome to terms with his son's death, and as he discovers things abouthis son's life in Japan.
What's remarkable is how much this movie plays in many ways like aJapanese film, even though director and writer Aaron Woolfolk is anAmerican. I read in an interview that he once lived here and returns tovisit often. I guess Japan has really rubbed off on him.
I wonder how this film will play in America. It might be regarded as alittle slow. And I certainly don't mean "slow" in a bad or boring way.Actually, THE HARIMAYA BRIDGE moves much more rapidly and with moreenergy than your typical Japanese drama. But I can see some of mycountrymen with their MTV-influenced attention spans not being able toput up with the reduced pace of the film. Which would be a real shame,since much of the film's beauty and artistry comes from its pace.
Nonetheless, I think the movie is a great achievement. Especially sincethis is Woolfolk's first full-length film. The outstanding writing andthe inspired direction go hand-in-hand. This is one of those movieswhere you feel like you're getting true insight into the filmmaker'smind, heart, and soul. Moreover, the acting, the camera work, and themusic are all top-notch. The story is something new and fresh. And themessage of the film is really wonderful. All of these things add up tome giving THE HARIMAYA BRIDGE my highest recommendation.
30 Mar 2012, 4:44 am
I had the pleasure of seeing this film at a private screening a fewweeks ago and it was a truly wonderful experience! And just last night,I went to a play in Los Angeles, co-authored by the writer/director. Iam now a fan. I don't twitter, but I just might start… The HarimayaBridge is a wonderful film. Never more so than when it reaches itsthematic and visual stride in the second half of this quietly hauntingstory. It's one thing to get to know Daniel Holder, a character with apain-filled past, an old grudge, and a deep-seated prejudice, but itsquite another to then thrust him into the middle of small town Japan.This is where the real fireworks begin. Complex and inspired, it's anexploration of the curious and sometimes difficult cultural differenceswe rarely, if ever, get to see. By all accounts, it evolves intosomething beautiful and grand while remaining intimate and cathartic.Of particular note, is the actor playing the lead character Daniel,quietly smoldering as a father struggling with his own personal demons.And the actresses who play the two main Japanese roles are fantastic!What's also interesting is having black characters in Asia, which issomething you don't usually see. I can't thank my friend (who knewsomeone who worked on the film's crew) enough for inviting me to thescreening. Definitely see this film if you get a chance.
30 Mar 2012, 4:44 am
I just saw this film in the theater yesterday and was completely blownaway by it. I am somewhat of a film buff, but I can not remember everbefore being so moved, so entertained and so utterly wrapped up in amovie before.
I need not say anything about the plot as the blurb here on IMDb saysit all –beside which what is really important is how the storyunfolds. The pacing was wonderfully done and the camera work wasbeautiful. There were minimal lighting effects and/or after-effectsused so the picture had a more realistic feel which I felt was a gooddecision as it forced the director to pay careful attention to theframing of each scene and let the beautiful scenery speak for itself inorder to create a visual dimension to the poetry that is the story.
As moving as the visuals are, the amazing soundtrack also needs to becommended. Some scenes employ no background music and instead rely onnatural sounds or the bustling of the town etc. while other scenesreally benefit from the background music that accompanies the visuals.
The actors all deserve commendations for their amazing work. There wererelatively few lines spoken in the film but each was delivered withmaximum effect which, along with subtle body language managed to notonly properly convey the story but to add an honesty and intensity thatreally drew me into the character's world.
The overall direction is also superb; the way that the director bringstogether all these assets (beautiful locations, talented actors,gorgeous photography/music and compelling story) and wraps it all upwith his clever framing/cinematography is truly amazing. The last scenestands out most in my mind where the titular bridge finally makes itsappearance. While the voice-over finally explains why the bridge is soimportant (literally and symbolically) the camera pans carefully togive us a visual metaphor as well.
Lastly, the story is simple and yet the presentation reveals unexpecteddepth offering viewers some lessons which everyone could do withhearing again.
30 Mar 2012, 4:44 am
I allowed myself to be carried along the emotional track of the movieand enjoyed it. I like the scene where he told his dead son'sex-girlfriend what was and was not important. You could see his brainclick when he realized its relevance to himself. I liked the use ofediting on two scenes of a place on a mountain road: the second sceneexplaining the first. Some of the scenery shots were breathtaking.There were times I let myself get all choked up. This is some talentedmovie making.
Yet, the dialog was too preachy, especially during the first 3rd of themovie. I cringed at being lectured at. Writers are often told to "show,don't tell." There was way too much "telling" in this movie and it wasirritating.
A key element in the movie was the "secret" marriage. There was nolegal marriage. Marriages take place in ward or city offices, as Iunderstand it. Cold but official. Shinto ceremonies do occur but theyinclude both families, and are ceremonial for show or sanctification;not to mention expensive.
Whatever occurred between those two people and the Shinto priest wasnot a wedding. Perhaps the Shinto priest was trying to purify thedefilement wrought upon his shrine by the mixed-race couple that"dirtied" his shrine precincts. It was not a marriage ceremony as anyJapanese person would understand it.
Besides, non-Japanese men who marry Japanese women, legally, should beadded to the family's temple registry. There was no indication of thisin the movie. If the girlfriend's father was cognizant of hisdaughter's marriage to a black guy, which he would have to be if therereally were a legal marriage, don't you think some connection wouldoccur to him when the old black guy showed up at his door? But theJapanese father was oblivious, making the scene ridiculous.
Apart from those things misrepresented or that have simply been gottenwrong, what do we actually learn about Japanese culture and people fromthis movie? Japanese people take their shoes off when enteringresidences and places that have tatami mats. Beware of sadisticJapanese hosts bearing stinky (and putrefactive by design) bowls ofnatto. Japanese soldiers died in WWII. Some Japanese young people havean appreciation for American pop music. Not exactly deep insight, norevidence of more than superficial experience, any of it.
Another quibble I have is with the house party scenes toward the end.He bought that huge house? What visa status did he have? He was too oldto be working. Considering that his father died in WWII he would be wayover the official Japanese retirement age of 60. Thus no job possible.Therefore no residence status and no way he could buy a house himself.One thinks of the Steven L. Herman case: a long-time resident of Japanwho was a senior executive at a multinational media organization. Toquote Steven: "I wasn't turned down for a mortgage. They refused toaccept the application." The Japanese courts upheld the Japanese bankthat did so. The enormous quantities of money necessary for Mickey'sold man to purchase that house would not be the most difficult obstacleto surmount. Not by a long shot.
OK, so it's next to impossible to believe he could have bought thathouse himself. Maybe he gave tons of money to his dead son'sex-girlfriend to buy the house so he could be near his bastardgranddaughter. I don't know about that…
Anyway, it was a great fantasy. A Japanese woman with a mixed-race kidhas the kid's "grandfather" come to Japan and buy a huge house for herand her daughter, and then he forever after takes care of them withbottomless pockets, becoming in the process a kind of local hero orcelebrity. Hmm. Whose fantasy could that be?
Yes, I had trouble engaging my "willing suspension of disbelief" buteven with the cringing and guffaws the movie is kind of a nice ride. Asa director, Aaron Woolfolk shows much promise. I wish him all the best.