SYNOPSIS (FROM JFF 2026 LEAFLET) Film veteran YAMADA Yoji returns with his 91st feature, a moving reflection on memory, compassion and human connection. USAMI Koji (KIMURA Takuya) is a hardworking but financially stretched taxi driver, hired to transport his elderly passenger TAKANO Sumire (BAISHO Chieko) from Tokyo to a nursing home in Kanagawa. Initially guarded with one another, Sumire's warmth gradually draws out a tenderness from beneath Koji's reserved exterior. As the streets of Tokyo pass by outside the window, Sumire begins to share the story of her life, and neither her nor Koji will be left unchanged by the time they arrive at their destination.
THE PLAY OF ARCHETYPES There is one thing that makes the latest Spiderman movie so successful. No its not the special effects. It is the peak moment in the third act where the protagonist and antagonist (also peak catharsis for the audience) were touched by something magical, and human - the presence of a motherly figure.
Sometimes, when you are facing life's struggle and challenges, it is that warm old whisper coming from someone older delivers the comfort - even for Spiderman and Jean Grey.
What is that? It is what many mainstream writers have abandoned. It is the inclusion of the archetypal trope. Everyone needs a motherly figure in writing a story. Even the mighty Achilles in the 2004 film Troy. That is also what's missing in the local fim Gayong and Gayong 2. The character Dato' Meor is has been turned into a stereotype instead of an archetype. But that is for another write up.
In this film Tokyo Taxi, the presence of the elderly passenger, Takano Sumire gave the the taxi driver character, Usami Koji that comforting and nurturing motherly shoulder. And for Sumire, a pair of attentive ear to relay her past trauma.
OF LIFE'S CHOICES, JOURNEY AND DESTINY A decision in life, however little or minute it might feel, have the potential of putting you in a path to a suprising place. Usami Koji is hesitant and almost refuses to take the call to drive Takano Sumire to her destination in Kanagawa.
The drive shows how a journey is sometime more important than the destination. It is where bond were established between the two main characters and help to give each other resolve.
And that is also one reason why we should not break a promise. How Mahatma Gandhi said it, keep your words because it will become your destiny.
And Hannah Arendt said, "Promises are the uniquely human way of ordering the future, making it predictable and reliable to the extent that this is humanly possible."
YOJI YAMADA, YASMIN AHMAD AND THE OLD WISDOM It is quite poignant and 'meta' to be watching this profound and humane film with Pak Hassan Muthalib because he was the honored guest of Yoji Yamada in Japan during his visit back then. He also introduces Yasmin Ahmad to the work of Yoji Yamada (now 94 years old) with Tora-San series back then and forever influenced Yasmin Ahmad works from then on.
There is a scene where an old man celebrating his birthday with his close family blowing candles. It reminds me that Hijjas Kasturi, the pioneering figure in Malaysian architecture is going to celebrate his 90th birthday this weekend. Whilst we are all in the manic rush to adapt total machinery into our life, it is sometimes, like I've said earlier, the warm old voice speaking insightful wisdom coming from a sage is all we need.
Japanese Film Fest (JFF) is currently running in selected GSC in Klang Valley, Penang, JB, Kuching and KK. Checkout the showtimes at GSC's websites.
