Norwegian Wood (film)
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese drama film
directed by Tran Anh Hung
, based on Haruki Murakami
's novel of the same name
. The film was released in Japan on 11 December 2010.
whose personal life is in tumult, having lost his best friend Kizuki after he inexplicably commits suicide
. Seeking an escape, Toru enters a university in Tokyo. By chance, during a walk in a park, Toru meets Kizuki's ex-girlfriend Naoko, and they grow close. Naoko is devastated by the loss of Kizuki, however, and spirals into a deep depression
.
After Naoko's 20th birthday, which she shares with Toru, she withdraws from the world and leaves for a sanitarium in a remote forest setting near Kyoto
. Toru is anguished by the situation, as he still has deep feelings for Naoko, but she is unable to reciprocate. He also lives with the influence of death everywhere, while Naoko feels as if some integral part of her has been permanently lost. He continues with his studies, and during the spring semester meets an attractive girl and fellow student Midori, who is everything that Naoko isn't — outgoing, vivacious, and supremely self-confident. The story then follows Toru as he is torn between the two women in his life, and choosing between his past and his future.
where it competed for the Golden Lion
. It was then subsequently released in Japanese cinemas on December 11, 2010.
, it was released under the name of Норвежский лес on 16 December 2010.
said that director Tran Anh Hung was "brave to attempt (to) bring Haruki Murakami's 1987 novel to the big screen" but mentioned that "the film comes across as a mere summary of Murakami’s book".
guitarist Jonny Greenwood
. The original soundtrack disc for this film was released on 10 November 2010.
Track list:
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed by Tran Anh Hung
Tran Anh Hung
Trần Anh Hùng is a French film director of Vietnamese ancestry.He was born in Đà Nẵng, Central Vietnam, and emigrated to France when he was 12 following the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975....
, based on Haruki Murakami
Haruki Murakami
is a Japanese writer and translator. His works of fiction and non-fiction have garnered him critical acclaim and numerous awards, including the Franz Kafka Prize and Jerusalem Prize among others.He is considered an important figure in postmodern literature...
's novel of the same name
Norwegian Wood (novel)
is a 1987 novel by Japanese author Haruki Murakami.The novel is a nostalgic story of loss and sexuality. The story's protagonist and narrator is Toru Watanabe, who looks back on his days as a college student living in Tokyo...
. The film was released in Japan on 11 December 2010.
Plot
Toru Watanabe is a quiet and serious young man in 1960s TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
whose personal life is in tumult, having lost his best friend Kizuki after he inexplicably commits suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. Seeking an escape, Toru enters a university in Tokyo. By chance, during a walk in a park, Toru meets Kizuki's ex-girlfriend Naoko, and they grow close. Naoko is devastated by the loss of Kizuki, however, and spirals into a deep depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
.
After Naoko's 20th birthday, which she shares with Toru, she withdraws from the world and leaves for a sanitarium in a remote forest setting near Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
. Toru is anguished by the situation, as he still has deep feelings for Naoko, but she is unable to reciprocate. He also lives with the influence of death everywhere, while Naoko feels as if some integral part of her has been permanently lost. He continues with his studies, and during the spring semester meets an attractive girl and fellow student Midori, who is everything that Naoko isn't — outgoing, vivacious, and supremely self-confident. The story then follows Toru as he is torn between the two women in his life, and choosing between his past and his future.
Cast
- Ken'ichi MatsuyamaKen'ichi Matsuyamais a Japanese actor.He is known for his affinity for strange character roles, and he is best known internationally for playing L in the 2006 films Death Note, Death Note: The Last Name and L: Change the World in 2008, as well as voicing Gelus in the Death Note animated adaptation...
as Watanabe - Rinko KikuchiRinko Kikuchi, born , January 6, 1981, is a Japanese actress. Kikuchi is the first Japanese actress to be nominated for an Academy Award in 50 years. She is currently Japan's only living female Academy Award nominee in acting categories...
as Naoko - Kiko MizuharaKiko Mizuhara, born Audrie Kiko Daniel, October 15, 1990, is a Japanese model and actress. She is a former exclusive model for the Japanese magazine ViVi and the Japanese edition of Seventeen....
as Midori - Tetsuji TamayamaTetsuji Tamayamais a Japanese TV and film actor. He was born to a Korean father. He joined modeling competitions and was active in Checkmate and other fashion magazines. In 2001, Tamayama debuted in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger as GaoSilver...
as Nagasawa - Kengo Kora as Kizuki
- Reika Kirishima as Reiko Ishida
- Eriko Hatsune as Hatsumi
- Shigesato ItoiShigesato Itoiis one of the most influential cultural figures in Japan, known for his copywriting, essays, lyrics, Nintendo game creation, and as editor-in-chief of his popular website “Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun.” He is best known outside of Japan as a game designer for his work on Nintendo's EarthBound...
as the Professor - Haruomi HosonoHaruomi Hosono, also known as Harry Hosono, is a Japanese popular musician, best known internationally as a key member of the rock band Happy End and the pioneering electronic music band Yellow Magic Orchestra.-Biography:...
as the Record Shop Manager - Yukihiro TakahashiYukihiro TakahashiYukihiro Takahashi is a Japanese musician, who is best known as the drummer and lead vocalist of the Yellow Magic Orchestra, and as the former drummer of the Sadistic Mika Band.-Biography:...
as the Gatekeeper
Release
This film first debuted in the 67th Venice International Film Festival67th Venice International Film Festival
The 67th annual Venice Film Festival held in Venice, Italy, took place from September 1 to September 11, 2010. American film director and screenwriter Quentin Tarantino was head of the Jury. John Woo was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement prior to the start of the Festival...
where it competed for the Golden Lion
Golden Lion
Il Leone d’Oro is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival. The prize was introduced in 1949 by the organizing committee and is now regarded as one of the film industry's most distinguished prizes...
. It was then subsequently released in Japanese cinemas on December 11, 2010.
Europe
In UK, it was released on March 11, 2011, while in RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, it was released under the name of Норвежский лес on 16 December 2010.
Critical reception
The Daily TelegraphThe Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
said that director Tran Anh Hung was "brave to attempt (to) bring Haruki Murakami's 1987 novel to the big screen" but mentioned that "the film comes across as a mere summary of Murakami’s book".
Accolades
| Film Festival | Date of ceremony | Category | Participants/Recipients | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67th Venice International Film Festival 67th Venice International Film Festival The 67th annual Venice Film Festival held in Venice, Italy, took place from September 1 to September 11, 2010. American film director and screenwriter Quentin Tarantino was head of the Jury. John Woo was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement prior to the start of the Festival... |
2 September 2010 | Golden Lion Golden Lion Il Leone d’Oro is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival. The prize was introduced in 1949 by the organizing committee and is now regarded as one of the film industry's most distinguished prizes... |
Norwegian Wood | |
| 35th Toronto International Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues... |
9 September 2010 | Special Presentations | Norwegian Wood | Participant |
| 7th Dubai International Film Festival Dubai International Film Festival The Dubai International Film Festival is an international film festival based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Launched in 2004, it aims to foster the growth of filmmaking in the Arab world.-Overview:... |
12 December 2010 | Muhr Asia Africa | Norwegian Wood | |
| Muhr Asia Africa Best Composer | Jonny Greenwood | |||
| 5th Asian Film Awards Asian Film Awards The Asian Film Awards are presented annually by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society to recognize excellence of film professionals in the film industries of Asian cinema.-History:... |
21 March 2011 | Best Actress | Rinko Kikuchi Rinko Kikuchi , born , January 6, 1981, is a Japanese actress. Kikuchi is the first Japanese actress to be nominated for an Academy Award in 50 years. She is currently Japan's only living female Academy Award nominee in acting categories... |
|
| Best Cinematography | Mark Lee Ping-bin | |||
| Best Costume Design | Yen-khe Luguern |
Soundtrack
The score for this film's soundtracks was composed by RadioheadRadiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
guitarist Jonny Greenwood
Jonny Greenwood
Jonathan Richard Guy "Jonny" Greenwood is an English musician and composer, best known as a member of the English rock band Radiohead. Greenwood is a multi-instrumentalist, but serves mainly as lead guitarist and keyboard player. In addition to guitar and keyboard, he plays viola, harmonica,...
. The original soundtrack disc for this film was released on 10 November 2010.
Track list:
| No. | Translation | Japanese title | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bit About Yourself, You Want to Properly" | もう少し自分のこと、きちんとしたいの | Mō sukoshi jibun no koto, kichinto shitai no |
| 2. | "Meadows, Wind, Groves" | 草原、風、雑木林 | Sōgen, Kaze, Zōkibayashi |
| 3. | Mary, Mary, So Contrary | Mary, Mary, So Contrary | |
| 4. | "Since I'll Come to See You Again" | また会いに来るからね | Mata ai ni kurukara ne |
| 5. | "Don't Read Things That Have Not Had the Baptism of Time" | 時の洗礼を受けていないものを読むな | Toki no senrei o ukete inai mono o yomu na |
| 6. | "Reiko" | レイコ | "Reiko" |
| 7. | "Bring Me Coffee or Tea" | "Bring Me Coffee or Tea" | |
| 8. | "Naoko Has Died" | 直子が死んだ | Naoko ga shinda |
| 9. | "Shut Up Like a Good Boy" | いい子だから黙ってて | Ii ko dakara damattete |
| 10. | "I Walked About Aimlessly" | あてもなく歩き回った | Atemonaku arukimawatta |
| 11. | "Quarter Tone Bloom" | クォーター・トーン・ブルーム | Kwōtā tōn burūmu |
| 12. | "Don't Turn the Light On, Leave Me Alone" | "Don't Turn the Light On, Leave Me Alone" | |
| 13. | "When You Take Me, Take Only Me" | 私をとるときは私だけをとってね | Watashi o toru toki wa watashi dake o totte ne |
| 14. | "Hearing Things" | 激しい幻聴 | Hageshii genchō |