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Japanese Story
Japanese Story
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Sue Brooks
Written by	Alison Tilson
Produced by	Sue Maslin
Starring	Toni Collette; Gotaro Tsunashima
Cinematography	Ian Baker
Edited by	Jill Bilcock
Music by	Elizabeth Drake
Distributed by	Samuel Goldwyn Films
Release date	25 September 2003 (Australia);
Running time	110 minutes
Country	Australia
Languages	English; Japanese
Budget	$5,740,000
Box office	$4,050,497

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.^[3]

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^[4] – 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.^[5]

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
	Best Direction	Sue Brooks	Won
	Best Original Screenplay	Alison Tilson	Won
	Best Actor	Gotaro Tsunashima	Nominated
	Best Actress	Toni Collette	Won
	Best Cinematography	Ian Baker	Won
	Best Editing	Jill Bilcock	Won
	Best Original Music Score	Elizabeth Drake	Won
	Best Sound	Livia Ruzic	Won
		Peter Grace	Won
		Peter Smith	Won
	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
	Best Director	Sue Brooks	Won
	Best Original Screenplay	Alison Tilson	Nominated
	Best Female Actor	Toni Collette	Won
	Best Music Score	Elizabeth Drake	Won
	Best Editing	Jill Bilcock	Nominated
	Best Cinematography	Ian Baker	Won
Inside Film Awards	Best Feature Film	Sue Maslin	Won
	Best Direction	Sue Brooks	Won
	Best Script	Alison Tilson	Nominated
	Best Actor	Gotaro Tsunashima	Nominated
	Best Actress	Toni Collette	Won
	Best Cinematography	Ian Baker	Won
	Best Editing	Jill Bilcock	Nominated
	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