# Japanese Story

Japanese Story is a 2003 Australian romantic drama film directed by Sue Brooks. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.

## Plot

Sandy Edwards (played by Toni Collette) is a director in a company that designs geological software in Perth, Western Australia. Her business partner manipulates her into agreeing to act as a guide for a Japanese businessman visiting mines in the Pilbara desert, in hopes that he will purchase the software. When Hiromitsu Tachibana (Gotaro Tsunashima [ja]) arrives, he treats Sandy like a chauffeur, and he seems more intent on self-discovery in the wilderness than on buying computer software. At first, Sandy is angered by his reserved, demanding demeanor. On their first journey into the desert, Hiromitsu, feeling insecure, talks more on his phone with friends in Japan than he does to Sandy. He also insists that she drive farther than planned. The terrain proves too much for the pair's vehicle, which becomes bogged down in the sand. After a series of desperate attempts to release the vehicle, including digging a dead man anchor, their winch burns out. Sandy wants to use Hiromitsu's phone to call people who can rescue them, but Hiromitsu refuses. This forces them to spend the night stranded together. The next day, Hiromitsu, conscious that his refusal had placed them in danger, wakes up much earlier than Sandy and builds a track of sticks over which they can drive out of the sand. The manoeuvre is successful. Now that they are on the road again, the ice breaks and a friendship starts between them that, in isolated surroundings uninterrupted by their work, grows quickly and honestly. Later, at a motel, they have sex. Only after does Sandy learn that Hiromitsu has a wife and children in Japan.
On another journey to scenic spots, Hiromitsu and Sandy share a quiet moment and kiss each other, eventually having sex again. Afterwards, Sandy runs into a swimming hole nearby. Hiromitsu follows her, diving into the shallow water before she can warn him, and disappears. Sandy frantically calls for him and, after a moment, his lifeless body resurfaces. In shock at his sudden death, Sandy struggles to deal with the situation, dragging his body into their vehicle and carefully washing it before driving for hours to the nearest town. Back in Perth, Sandy cannot comprehend the violent end to her journey. Reality intrudes in the form of Hiromitsu's grieving widow, Yukiko, and Sandy tries to understand how Hiromitsu's life had ended before she had understood his place in hers.

## Cast

* Toni Collette – Sandy Edwards
* Gotaro Tsunashima [ja] (綱島郷太郎 Tsunashima Gōtarō) – Hiromitsu Tachibana
* Matthew Dyktynski – Bill Baird
* Lynette Curran – Mum
* Yumiko Tanaka (田中由美子 Tanaka Yumiko) – Yukiko Tachibana
* Kate Atkinson – Jackie
* Bill Young – Jimmy Smithers
* Reg Evans – Bloke in Row Boat
* George Shevtsov – James
* Justine Clarke – Jane
* Igor Sas – Fraser
* Mike Frencham – Blake
* John Howard – Richards
* Phil Bennett – Barman
* Heath Bergersen – Petrol Bloke
* Peter Heather - Police Officer 1
* Ray Curren - Police Officer 2
* Peter Lester - Chef

## Box office

Japanese Story grossed $4,520,000 at the box office in Australia.

## Reception and accolades

Japanese Story received mixed to positive reviews, currently holding an approval rating of 68% on Rotten Tomatoes.
| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Film | Sue Maslin | Won |
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Direction | Sue Brooks | Won |
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Original Screenplay | Alison Tilson | Won |
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Actor | Gotaro Tsunashima | Nominated |
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Actress | Toni Collette | Won |
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Cinematography | Ian Baker | Won |
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Editing | Jill Bilcock | Won |
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Original Music Score | Elizabeth Drake | Won |
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Sound | Livia Ruzic | Won |
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Sound | Peter Grace | Won |
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Sound | Peter Smith | Won |
| AACTA Award (2003 AFI Awards) | Best Production Design | Paddy Reardon | Nominated |
| AWGIE Award | Best Writing in a Feature Film - Original | Alison Tilson | Won |
| Bangkok International Film Festival | Golden Kinnaree Award for Best Film | Sue Brooks | Nominated |
| Chicago International Film Festival | Gold Hugo - New Directors Competition | Sue Brooks | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Film | Sue Maslin | Won |
| FCCA Awards | Best Director | Sue Brooks | Won |
| FCCA Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Alison Tilson | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Female Actor | Toni Collette | Won |
| FCCA Awards | Best Music Score | Elizabeth Drake | Won |
| FCCA Awards | Best Editing | Jill Bilcock | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Cinematography | Ian Baker | Won |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Feature Film | Sue Maslin | Won |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Direction | Sue Brooks | Won |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Script | Alison Tilson | Nominated |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Actor | Gotaro Tsunashima | Nominated |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Actress | Toni Collette | Won |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Cinematography | Ian Baker | Won |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Editing | Jill Bilcock | Nominated |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Music | Elizabeth Drake | Nominated |
| Miami International Film Festival | FIPRESCI Prize | Sue Brooks | Won |
| Satellite Award | Best Actress | Toni Collette | Nominated |
| Screen Music Awards, Australia | Best Feature Film Score | Elizabeth Drake | Won |