Plot: Yu is a young guy who has found a job at the town's recycling facility. He's a lowly worker who sorts through the trash, earning a little extra money on the side by helping with the illegal dumping at night. The local Yakuza has forced him into it to cover his mother's gambling debts. Things start to look up for Yu when a former friend returns to the village and gives him a more respectable job in the facility. Yu grabs this chance with both hands and becomes a local hero when a TV crew comes around to make
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October 29, 2023
Rural Japan is struggling. Village would make an excellent double bill with Follow the Light, though Fujii's take is quite a bit darker. It's the tale of a small village trying to keep itself afloat by relying on a big recycling plant that towers over the town. The mix of traditional Japanese culture (Noh), dark thriller elements, and hefty drama is balanced remarkably well. The performances are strong, the styling is meticulous and the finale is impressive. A strong Japanese film, though not one to color outside the lines too much.