Hachi: A Dogs Tale (2009)

Synopsis

Synopsis: Based on a true story from Japan, Hachiko Monogatari (literally The Tale of Hachiko) is a moving film about loyalty and the rare, invincible bonds that occasionally form almost instantaneously in the most unlikely places.

In the modern day, a class full of young students is giving oral presentations about personal heroes. A boy named Ronnie (Kevin DeCoste) stands up and begins to tell of ‘Hachiko’, his grandfather’s dog. Years before, an Akita puppy is sent from Japan to the United States, but his cage falls off the baggage cart at an American train station, where he is found by college professor Parker Wilson (Richard Gere). Parker is instantly captivated by the dog. When Carl (Jason Alexander), the station controller, refuses to take him, Parker takes the puppy home overnight. His wife Cate (Joan Allen) is insistent about not keeping the puppy.

The next day Parker expects that someone will have contacted the train station, but no one has. He sneaks the pup onto the train and takes him to work, where a Japanese college professor, Ken (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), translates the symbol on the pup’s collar as ‘Hachi’, Japanese for ‘good fortune’, and the number 8. Parker decides to call the dog ‘Hachi’. Ken points out that perhaps the two are meant to be together. Parker attempts to play fetch with Hachi, but he refuses to join in. Meanwhile Cate receives a call about someone wanting to adopt Hachi. After seeing how close her husband has come to Hachi, however, Cate tells the caller that Hachi has already been adopted.

A few years later, Hachi and Parker are as close as ever. Parker, however, is still mystified by Hachi’s refusal to do normal, dog-like things like chase and retrieve a ball. Ken advises him that Hachi will only bring him the ball for a special reason. One morning, Parker leaves for work and Hachi sneaks out and follows him to the train station, where he refuses to leave until Parker walks him home. That afternoon, Hachi sneaks out again and walks to the train station, waiting patiently for Parker’s train to come in. Eventually Parker relents and walks Hachi to the station every morning, where he leaves on the train. Hachi leaves after Parker’s safe departure, but comes back in the afternoon to see his master’s train arrive and walk with him home again. This continues for some time, until one afternoon Parker attempts to leave, but Hachi barks and refuses to go with him. Parker eventually leaves without him, but Hachi chases him, holding his ball. Parker is surprised but pleased that Hachi is finally willing to play fetch the ball with him. Worried that he will be late for the college, Professor Parker leaves on the train despite Hachi barking at him. At work that day Parker, still holding Hachi’s ball, is teaching his music class when he suddenly suffers a fatal heart attack.

At the train station, Hachi waits patiently as the train arrives, but there is no sign of Parker. He remains, lying in the snow, for several hours, until Parker’s son-in-law Michael (Ronnie Sublett) comes to collect him. The next day, Hachi returns to the station and waits, remaining all day and all night. As time passes, Cate sells the house and Hachi is sent to live with her daughter Andy (Sarah Roemer), Michael, and their new baby Ronnie. However, at the first opportunity, he escapes and eventually finds his way back to his old house and then to the train station, where he sits at his usual spot, eating hot dogs given to him by Jas (Erick Avari), a local vendor. Andy arrives soon after and takes him home, but lets him out the next day to return to the station.

For the next nine years, Hachi waits for his owner. His loyalty is profiled in the local newspaper. Years after Parker’s death, Cate comes back to visit Parker’s grave when she catches sight of Hachi waiting at the station. She gets emotional and sits next to Hachi until the next train comes. Hachi, now old and achy, returns to the train station at night and closes his eyes for the last time. He has visions of Parker. After His visions, the spirit of Parker dressed and looking like himself when he died walks out of the station and the two reunite as their spirits rise up to Heaven. The film then shows Ronnie, back in his classroom, making his conclusion of why Hachi will forever be his hero. He then meets up with his own Akita puppy, named Hachi, to walk down the same tracks where Parker and Hachi spent so many years together.

The closing cards reveal information about the real Hachik who was born in Odate in 1923. After the death of his owner Hidesaburo Ueno in 1925, Hachiko returned to the Shibuya train station the next day and every day after that for the next nine years. The final card reveals that real Hachiko died in 1934 (in fact, he died in 1935). A photo of his statue in the Shibuya train station is the last image shown before the credits roll.

The film was shot primarily in Woonsocket, Rhode Island and Bristol, Rhode Island. The newspaper reporter, Teddy, states he is from the Woonsocket Call, the daily newspaper published in Woonsocket. This is the only spoken reference to the actual location where filming took place.

FullCast & Crew

Produced By:

• Jeff Abberley known as executive producer
• Julia Blackman known as executive producer
• Julie Chrystyn known as associate producer
• Roxanna Farzaneh known as associate producer
• Samuel H. Frankel known as co-executive producer (as Sam Frankel)
• Richard Gere known as producer
• Warren T. Goz known as executive producer
• Bill Johnson known as producer
• Paul A. Levin known as associate producer
• Tom Luse known as co-executive producer
• Paul Mason known as executive producer
• Stewart McMichael known as executive producer
• Dwight Opperman known as associate producer
• Dean Schnider known as co-producer
• Jim Seibel known as executive producer
• Shin Torisawa known as producer: Japan
• Michael Viner known as associate producer
• Vicki Shigekuni Wong known as producer

FullCast & Crew:

• Richard Gere known as Parker Wilson
• Joan Allen known as Cate Wilson
• Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa known as Ken
• Sarah Roemer known as Andy
• Jason Alexander known as Carl
• Erick Avari known as Jasjeet
• Davenia McFadden known as Mary Anne
• Robbie Sublett known as Michael (as Robbie Collier Sublett)
• Kevin DeCoste known as Ronnie – 11 years
• Rob Degnan known as Teddy Barnes (as Robert Degnan)
• Tora Hallstrom known as Heather (as Tora Hallström)
• Donna Sorbello known as Myra
• Frank S. Aronson known as Milton – The Butcher (as Frank Aronson)
• Troy Doherty known as Sal
• Ian Sherman known as Student Pianist
• Timothy Crowe known as Evan Lock
• Denece Ryland known as Miss Latham
• Blake Friedman known as Student
• Bates Wilder known as Harry Pinow
• Daniel Kirby known as Commuter
• Gloria Crist known as Commuter #2
• Rich Tretheway known as Mover
• Thomas Tynell known as Man (as Tom Tynell)
• Luke Allard known as Student (uncredited)
• Raymond Alongi known as Train Station Commuter (uncredited)
• Kira Arnold known as Student (uncredited)
• Ellen Becker-Gray known as Town Resident / Train Commuter (uncredited)
• David Boston known as Man Passing on the Sidewalk (uncredited)
• Gail Bugeja known as Local Resident / Commuter (uncredited)
• Robert Capron known as Student (uncredited)
• Oscar J. Castillo known as Train Station Commuter (uncredited)
• Desiree April Connolly known as Train Commuter (uncredited)
• D.W. Cormier known as Commuter (uncredited)
• Ryan Cultrera known as Student (uncredited)
• Becki Dennis known as Student (uncredited)
• Max Derderian known as Student (uncredited)
• Vincent J. Earnshaw known as Train Station Commuter (uncredited)
• John Franchi known as Commuter (uncredited)
• Russell Gibson known as Parkers Barber (uncredited)
• Albert Gornie known as Commuter (uncredited)
• Patrick Mel Hayes known as Commuter / Businessman (uncredited)
• Steven Howitt known as Theater Goer (uncredited)
• Michael Kelly known as Commuter (uncredited)
• Mary Koomjian known as Train Passenger (uncredited)
• Adam Masnyk known as Awkward Reacting Boy (uncredited)
• Martin Montana known as Train Station Commuter (uncredited)
• Edward L. Papazian known as Air Line Baggage Handler (uncredited)
• Americo Presciutti known as Train Station Passenger (uncredited)
• Donna Glee Reim known as Grandmother to the Bride (uncredited)
• Gary Roscoe known as Pedestrian (uncredited)
• Eric Ryan known as Train Commuter (uncredited)
• Ben Skinner known as Funeral Attendee / Student (uncredited)
• Rich Skinner known as Train Commuter (uncredited)
• Roy Souza known as Commuter #2 (uncredited)
• Donald Warnock known as Senior Train Conductor (uncredited)

..

Supporting Department

• LuAnn Claps known as makeup department head
• LuAnn Claps known as personal makeup artist: Richard Gere
• Cheryl Daniels known as second hair stylist
• Nichole Pleau known as key makeup artist (as Nikki Pleau)
• Lyndell Quiyou known as key hair stylist

Art Department:

• Mike Araujo known as carpenter
• Joe Barry known as set dresser
• Paula Bird known as scenic artist
• Brian Buckley known as set dresser foreman
• Aimee Butterfield known as set dresser
• Jason Case known as leadman
• Jessica Case known as set dresser
• Melissa Cooperman known as buyer
• Jaima Fogg known as assistant property master
• Zack Gorman known as set dresser
• George Hachmeister known as prop maker
• David Haller known as prop maker
• Tobias Haller known as assistant greens
• Tim Jackson known as general foreman
• Eric Jerman known as lead greens
• James R. LaFazia known as carpenter
• Chad Littlefield known as scenic artist
• Lance Littlefield known as scenic artist
• Jenny E. McCracken known as foreman (as Jenny McCracken)
• Gabor Medveczky known as assistant greens
• Alcinio Melim known as carpenter (as Alcinino Melim)
• Dudley Merritt known as prop maker
• Amy Morrison known as buyer
• John F. O'Neil known as set dresser (as John O'Neil)
• Tim Payson known as property master
• Paul Peabody known as construction coordinator
• Scott T. Pina known as welding gangboss
• Edward Rezendes known as scenic artist
• David C. Romano known as set dresser (as David Romero)
• John Ryder known as set dresser
• Anthony Sanini known as scenic artist
• Jeffrey Schneider known as set dresser foreman
• Meaghan E. Stone known as lead greens
• Haven Storey known as foreman (as Haven H. Storey)
• Jose Tran known as scenic artist
• Cammeron Truesdale known as scenic artist (as Cameron Truesdale)
• Wilfredo Usuga known as carpenter
• Bill Wieters known as charge scenic (as William P. Wieters)
• Peter Wilcox known as construction coordinator
• Jeremy Woodward known as set designer
• Doug Cluff known as charge painter (uncredited)
• Mimi Coleman known as art department coordinator (uncredited)
• Stefan Couture known as props intern (uncredited)
• Elizabeth Fisher known as additional props (uncredited)
• Jason Mayoh known as storyboard artist (uncredited)
• Katrina Parsons known as set dresser (uncredited)
• Jeremy M. Pereira known as scenic artist (uncredited)
• Sam Stone known as art department assistant (uncredited)

..

Company

Production Companies:

• Stage 6 Films (presents)
• Inferno Distribution (as Inferno)
• Hachiko (produced in association with)
• Grand Army Entertainment (produced in association with)
• Opperman Viner Chrystyn Entertainment (in association with)
• Scion Films (in association with)

Other Companies:

• Nina Saxon Film Design  titles (as Nina Saxon Design)
• Alex Gourmet Catering  catering (as Alex's Gourmet)
• All-Tame Animals  skunk trainer (as All Tame Animals)
• Boone's Animals for Hollywood  animals supplied by
• Cinema Mechanics  grip and lighting equipment
• Cutting Edge Group  music services
• David Haddad  transportation equipment
• Dolby Laboratories  sound post-production
• Film Finances  completion guarantor
• Fintage House  collection account management
• Haddad's  transportation equipment
• K.A.S. Lighting  production services (as KAS Lighting)
• Lightnin' Production Rentals  transportation equipment
• Long Island Film Equipment  production services
• Orbit Digital  post-production services
• P.I.Y. Studio Warsaw  score mixing facility
• Panavision  Panavision Genesis HD Camera provided by
• Polish Radio Studios, The  music recording facility
• Postworks New York  post-production services (as Postworks N.Y.)
• Pranzi Catering  catering
• Red Herring Motion Picture Lighting Inc.  production services
• Searchworks Research and Clearance  post-production clearance (as Searchworks Clearance and Research)
• Sound & More Studios  music recording facility
• Sound One  sound services
• Soundtrack  ADR Facility (as Soundtrack Boston)
• Tax Credit Finance  tax credit brokering
• Varèse Sarabande  soundtrack

Distributors:

• Con Dios Entertainment (2010) (Australia) (DVD)
• Shochiku Company (2009) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Con Dios Entertainment (2010) (New Zealand) (DVD)
• Deepjoy Picture (2010) (Taiwan) (theatrical)
• Diamond Films (2010) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Entertainment One Benelux (2009) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Golden Village Pictures (2010) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Innoform Media (2010) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Kinepolis Film Distribution (KFD) (2009) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• Lucky Red (2009) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Metropolitan Filmexport (2010) (France) (theatrical)
• Panorama Distributions (2010) (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
• Prime Entertainment (2010) (South Korea) (theatrical)
• Prokino Filmverleih (2009) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (2010) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Volga (2009) (Russia) (theatrical)
• 21 Entertainment (2008) (Russia) (all media)
• Deepjoy Picture (2010) (Taiwan) (DVD)
• Entertainment One Benelux (2010) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Entertainment One Benelux (2010) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• FS Film Oy (2010) (Finland) (all media)
• Film1 (2010) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
• Golden Scene (2010) (Hong Kong) (all media)
• Imagem Filmes (2009) (Brazil) (all media)
• Panorama Distributions (2010) (Hong Kong) (DVD)
• Panorama Distributions (2010) (Hong Kong) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2010) (USA) (DVD)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2010) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) (2010) (USA) (all media)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (2010) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Wide Pictures (2009) (Spain) (all media)
• Zon Lusomundo Audiovisuais (2010) (Portugal) (all media)

..

Other Stuff

Special Effects:

• & Company

Visual Effects by:

• Joan Demskey known as lead roto artist: & Company (as Joan Demsky)
• Chris Gelles known as visual effects executive producer: & Company
• David Isyomin known as visual effects supervisor: & Company

Release Date:

• USA 13 June 2009 (Seattle International Film Festival)
• Japan 8 July 2009 (Tokyo) (premiere)
• Japan 8 August 2009
• Brazil 25 September 2009 (Festival do Rio BR)
• USA 15 October 2009 (Heartland Film Festival)
• Italy 16 October 2009 (Rome Film Festival)
• Russia 22 October 2009
• Brazil 24 October 2009 (Mostra BR de São Paulo)
• Spain 6 November 2009
• Armenia 12 November 2009
• Germany 12 November 2009
• Austria 20 November 2009
• Netherlands 17 December 2009
• Belgium 23 December 2009
• Brazil 25 December 2009
• Italy 30 December 2009
• Hong Kong 7 January 2010
• Taiwan 8 January 2010
• Singapore 21 January 2010
• Sweden 22 January 2010
• Israel 18 February 2010
• South Korea 18 February 2010
• USA 9 March 2010 (DVD premiere)
• Ireland 12 March 2010
• UK 12 March 2010
• Indonesia 16 March 2010
• Finland 2 April 2010
• Mexico 9 April 2010
• Hungary 4 May 2010 (DVD premiere)
• Argentina 18 May 2010 (Buenos Aires) (premiere)
• Argentina 20 May 2010
• Aruba 4 June 2010 (Aruba International Film Festival)
• France 9 June 2010
• Panama 25 June 2010
• Denmark 13 July 2010 (DVD premiere)
• Portugal 30 September 2010
• Malaysia 21 October 2010
• Peru 11 November 2010
• Kuwait 4 August 2011

..

Gallery