Film recommendations related to rural life and farming villages [Agriculture]
Hi there, it's Minami.
In this article, we would like to recommend several films for those interested in agriculture and rural life. The films presented in this article are perfect for those who want to learn more about agriculture or for those who want to relax from the reliving.
I have tried to introduce a mixture of Japanese and foreign films, but I have not been able to find good western rural films. If you know of any other good ones, we would appreciate it if you would share them with us.
If you are looking for other themed films, please check byClicking herePlease take a look at our other offerings at Climate Change Specialization, Spanish Specialization, and other films.
So here you go.
Table of Contents
The Witch of the West is dead.
Country of production: Japan
Director: Shunichi Nagasaki
Year of production: 2008
Synopsis
The main character, Mai, has trouble adjusting to school and stops attending.Her mother, worried about her, sends her to her grandmother's house where she lives alone in the countryside. While spending time at her grandmother's house, Mai gradually opens up and comes into contact with nature and begins to look at herself in a new light. This heartwarming story depicts the kindness of her grandmother and her life in the richness of nature.
Recommendations
This is a film adaptation of a novel I read in book form when I was a kid and fell in love with!
Although the title sounds Western, this work is based in Japan.
This film shows how soothing time spent in nature can be. The leisurely flow of time spent with the grandmother is the perfect way to take a break from the busyness of modern life and calm your mind. Although farming itself is not the theme of this film, you can feel the importance of living with nature.
By the way, here is the novel on which it is based.
Distant Thunder (Enrai)
Country of production: Japan
Director: Kichitaro Negishi
Year of production: 1981
Synopsis
Ken, a young man living in a rural village, is engaged in farming in his hometown to take over his grandparents' farmland, but he yearns for the city life. Ken is conflicted by the contrast with his friends who have left for the city and the harshness of rural labor. The film depicts how he gradually changes his way of thinking about farming.
Recommendations
This film realistically depicts the harshness of farming and the struggles that come with it; through the images of farming villages in the 1980s, viewers can learn about the weight, joy, and hardships of farming. This film is a must-see for anyone who is thinking of starting a farming business.
THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM (THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM)
Country of production: U.S.A
Director: John Chester
Year of production: 2018年
Synopsis
John and his wife Molly are evicted from their apartment in the big city of Los Angeles because of the barking of their dog Todd, whom they rescued from near-kill. The wife, a chef, decides to move the couple to the suburbs to grow food that is truly good for you. 200 acres of desolate farmland is their home, and the couple, sometimes at the mercy of Mother Nature's harshness, listen to her message, learn about the cycle of life, and work with animals and plants to create an organic farm full of hope for the future. They try to create an organic farm filled with animals, plants, and hope for the future.
Recommendations
I really like this movie!
I could feel the importance of maximizing biodiversity. This film allows us to learn that all living things have a role to play in nature and that ecosystems are made up of them. If you are interested in agriculture and environmental protection, this is a film you should definitely see. This farm is real, and I hope to visit the area someday.
A Farewell to Jinu(Jinu yo Saraba Kamuroba-mura e)
Country of production: Japan
Director: Suzuki Matsuo
Year of production: 2015
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis
Takeshi (Matsuda Ryuhei), a bank employee who is allergic to money and faints at the mere touch of cash, quits his job and flees to a cold village in the Tohoku region to live without spending a single penny.The villagers are disappointed that he is so naive to the idea of living in the countryside, and that it is precisely because the village is underpopulated that it needs cash and cell phones. The village mayor, Yosaburo (Sadawo Abe), who takes good care of the villagers, decides to hire Take at his supermarket and pay him a salary in the form of food in kind. The villagers teach him how to work in the fields, and he manages to survive by producing his own food and bartering for it. One day, a suspicious man (Matsuo Suzuki) appears in the village. ......
Recommendations
Simply interesting! LOL!
I like the quiet humor that only a Japanese film can slowly bring. The idea of living without money is also unique, and I could feel the harshness and fun of life in the countryside at the same time. I recommend this film to those who like a little comedy.
There are also many other films about agriculture and country life, such as “Seed Sowing Traveler: Tea of Minori,” “The Miracle Apple,” “Silver Spoon,” “Little Forest: Winter and Spring,” and “Little Forest: Summer and Autumn. Here is a brief introduction to each of these films.
A Sower of Seeds(Tanemaku tabibito Minori no Cha)
Country of production: Japan
Director: 塚原あゆ子
Year of production: 2012年
Synopsis
After the death of her grandfather, the heroine Minori (Kiritani Mirei) decides to take over the tea farming business and struggles to farm in the beautiful nature with her family. The film depicts the current state of agriculture in modern Japan and the people who face nature, and it is a touching portrayal of the deepening family bonds in rural life.
Recommendations
The work carefully depicts the Japanese agricultural scene, and realistically conveys the difficulties of tea cultivation and the hardships faced by farmers. The work also depicts human relationships and coexistence with nature unique to the countryside, making it a relaxing work to watch.
Miracle Apples (Kiseki no Ringo)
Country of production: Japan
Director: Yoshihiro Nakamura
Year of production: 2013
Synopsis
Obsessed with the dream of growing apples without using any pesticides, Akinori Kimura (Sadawo Abe) never gives up despite repeated trial and error, and overcomes the opposition and hardships of those around him. Eventually, his efforts bring about a miracle, and the film depicts the inspiring story of his successful cultivation of pesticide-free apples.
Recommendations
This work strongly reminds us of the importance of challenge and faith in agriculture. It teaches us the importance of not giving up and continuing on no matter how difficult the situation. This work makes us realize that passion and perseverance are necessary to succeed in the world of agriculture.
Incidentally, the original true story is also available in a separate book collection.
I am sure that those who read this article are interested in movies and other visual images, but in case you are interested, I would like to introduce some library books as well.
Silver Spoon (Gin no saji)
Country of production: Japan
Director: Keisuke Yoshida
Year of production: 2014
Synopsis
Yugo Hachiken (Kento Nakajima), a city-bred boy who attends an agricultural high school in Hokkaido, grows up with his classmates and teachers while facing the harshness and joys of farming. The film depicts the real life in an agricultural high school and the story of learning the preciousness of life.
Recommendations
This is a film adaptation of a farming manga written by Hiroshi Arakawa, the famous “Fullmetal Alchemist” author!
This work is very inspiring for those interested in agriculture, as it depicts the young generation's exposure to and growth in agriculture. It is recommended for those who want to know the real daily life of an agricultural high school and are interested in how young people deal with agriculture.
If you would like to see the manga version, you can check it out below.
Little Forest: Winter/Spring
Country of production: Japan
Director: Junichi Mori
Year of production: 2015
Synopsis
Tired of life in the city, the main character Ichiko (Hashimoto Ai) returns to her small hometown village and begins a self-sufficient life. The film depicts her as she takes advantage of the bounty of nature in each of the four seasons and reexamines herself through farming and cooking.
Recommendations
The beauty of the four seasons and the farm work and cooking that goes along with them are carefully depicted, warming the heart just by looking at them. This work is especially suitable for when you want to spend a quiet and peaceful time.
Also, Ai Hashimoto, the lead actress, is simply wonderful!
Little Forest: Summer/Autumn
Country of production: Japan
Director: Junichi Mori
Year of production: 2014
Synopsis
This sequel to “Little Forest Winter/Spring” depicts Ichiko's life of self-sufficiency in the summer and fall. The story depicts how she grows crops, harvests them, and cooks them for a living in the countryside surrounded by abundant nature, and like its predecessor, the story moves along with the changing of the seasons.
Recommendations
The beautiful Japanese countryside and the painstakingly prepared food and farm work are charmingly depicted. Simple yet profound in its message, this work reaffirms the joy of spending time in nature.
Also, Ai Hashimoto, the lead actress, is simply wonderful!
Conclusion
These days, if you want to see a realistic aspect of rural life and farming, I recommend watching videos on YouTube of people who are rehabilitating old houses and living in the countryside. There, you may find a different sense of reality and deeper learning and inspiration than in movies.
Still, the world of rural life and agriculture that we see peeking through movies has a unique charm. While enjoying it in a casual way, why don't you all consider actually experiencing farming and country life?
After listing them in this way, I realized that there are surprisingly few agricultural films that have been released across the ocean.
If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know!
If you are in Japan and would like to try agriculture, you can experience agriculture for a short period of time.Volubeitis recommended! It's one of the top experiences I've personally had the pleasure of doing, so if you're interested, I'd love to hear from you!Clicking hereSee also related articles
Well, I will see you next time!
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