A Gentle Breeze in the Village (2007)

I first heard about this movie through some reviews of the director, Nobuhiro Yamashita. It is a simple "slice of life" story with a meandering romance of sorts between teenager Soya and the new boy in her village, Hiromi.

The town's children are the main characters - they study, socialize and scare each other - but that doesn't mean viewers don't catch glimpses of adult life and troubles as well. Soya and Hiromi both grow and change during the film - it's a bit like watching a plant grow from a seed to a bloom. Enjoy it as it happens. I think it would be an easy film to re-watch every so often just as it is charming to look at pictures from your youth.

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Story: It sounds like a cute little love story between Soyo and Hiromi and it is. Well, it is more awkward than cute but that’s the charm. In my opinion, that’s all this movie has going for it. It was rather boring with no plot line at all. Just a movie about a small town with 7 kids under the age of 15. Literally, that’s all. They all walk to school together, go swimming together and when someone actually moves into the village and it’s a boy, things get interesting.

Despite the boring plot, that basically consists of Soyo saying the wrong things to the wrong people and trading her first kiss for Hiromi’s jacket, it was kind of pleasant. The village is small and time seems to pass by slowly. It gives you the sense that everything is peaceful and relaxing. It’s the kind of movie where it reteaches you the values of friendship and puppy love.

It doesn’t have a dynamic plot, which most people like. It is more scenic, quiet, and dealing with the small things that happen in a village where everyone has known each other since birth. It wasn’t that bad of a movie, just one where I had to force myself to finish it. And I only did so because of Masaki Okada.

Music: In addition to an almost non-existent plot, the music is pretty much the same: non-existent.

Cast/Acting: I mentioned earlier that parts of the movie were awkward. I don’t mean the director or the script. There was a scene where Soyo wanted to kiss Hiromi, but never having really kissed a boy before she’s bad and they bump teeth. Kaho and Masaki Okada were very good at acting as an awkward couple and being out of place. They are both amazing actors and had such great chemistry. He really seemed like a horny boy from Tokyo, being forced to live in the sticks. Well, he isn’t really ‘horny’ per say. He tries to kiss Soyo several times without her realizing it, or really wanting it (at the moment). She even catches him talking on the phone about their interactions to his friends in the city.


The extended cast was great too. The other school children all seemed very close and did a great job acting as friends too. You don’t really see much of the parents, expect for Soyo’s and Hiromi’s mother.

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A slice of life, coming-of-age film directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita (Linda Linda Linda), about a love story set in rural Japan. Hiromi (Masaki Okada) transfers from Tokyo to a small school in a rural village with only six kids enrolled. There he meets gentle Soyo (Kaho). Despite their differences, the two eventually develop affection for each other.

Since it is a slice of life set in rural Japan, expect a slow paced story, which captures the rhythm of a rural community. It is enjoyable to watch the relationship among the characters, especially that of Soyo and the youngest girl in their school.


Acting: Great performance from newcomers Kaho and Masaki Okada. Kaho especially did well in portraying a teen girl struggling to face her newfound feelings for a new acquaintance.

Music: Ending song performed by Quruli is the best!


Watch it when you're in the mood for lighthearted, tender, slow paced, coming-of-age romantic drama. I really recommend you watch it. It's a joy in the heart.

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Heartwarming coming of age story in a rural village.

A coming of age film that feels warm and cool like the film setting, also wrapped in a love story that is innocent and not prominent but calming.

Actually, around first 30 minutes we are brought to know the characters and also adapt to be comfortable with the setting. There are really not many characters here, only 6 school students, few teachers, along with character families and other villagers. And the focus is on friendship of the students, with a little subplot that feels no exaggeration from the other characters and gradually converges to between Soyo and Osawa, our couple.

After that 30 minutes we begin to dive into the adolescent story of Soyo, a girl who is in the process of reaching maturity, knowing love, the way the world works, etc. which is presented like a flowing river flowing calmly.

As the title suggested, the village atmosphere in this film feels cool, full of gentle breeze and warm. It describes the condition of the village well, many rice fields, forests and houses are not close together. The main thing is the vibe of a village is very pronounced in this film, because I've been lived in a village and the feeling when I was watch it feels very similar like when I used to walk around the village, near rice field or farm and some village places. They did a good job in this aspect.

All the characters acting feels natural, the role of every character are also suitable like the people in the real village.

I don't know what to say anymore, I love this film but I can't put another words in my mind into this review. Maybe for the last I'll say this film feels relateable that I feel cozy when watch it and that's why I love it.

Overall, one of the best coming of age film I've watched, and also has the best setting.

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ADMIREABLE, LOVELY, BEAUTIFUL, SIMPLE, AND GENUINE.

TIPE FILM KESUKAAN GUE BANGET???

gue selalu suka sama drama-drama remaja (youth) yang pure, naive, dan innocent kayak gini--kayak ARRGHHH GEMES SUPER LUVLY. seperti apa yang terdengar dalam judulnya, film ini nerbener nyejukin hati.

secara keseluruhan, film ini tuh cuma menceritakan kisah cinta monyet gadis remaja desa yang naksir sama anak baru pindahan dari kota. just like linda, linda, linda (2005), film ini engga bakal memberikan dinamika plot yang gimana-gimana. tapi gatau gimana ya, Nobuhiro Yamashita seperti punya magis sendiri kalau udah mengangkat kisah anak remaja. dia berhasil menggiring penonton (khususnya gue) buat throwback ke masa kecil dulu. kalaupun lo gapernah hidup di desa, film ini 100% murni ajib banget karena nerbener bisa membawa ademnya suasana di sana sampe tembus layar HAHAHA si lebay. zuzurly gue naksir parsssssssssssss.

visualnya cantik parah huhuhuhu pengambilan shotnya, tone & gradingnya, semuanya cakeppp! bikin pengen pergi ke desa yang masih semurni itu t_____t scoringnya manissss. ost di credit scenenya juga gemes huhuhu

menjelang ending w agak mau mewek gitu karena AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

gue saranin si nonton film ini di hari minggu pas lagi leyeh leyeh :D

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As the title suggests this movie is just like a gentle breeze with everything in the right proportion. Though I can't decide the right genre to fit it in it was nice watching it.
Story : Honestly , there is nothing much to talk about it. It just depicts some routine-happenings in their village .

Acting : one gets to see the young,handsome okada masaki in it.( It was one of the reasons why i watched it ).the acting was lively and happening.It was like they just showed a piece of a village in Japan .

Overall , the movie was pleasant to watch but the after-effect was not so intense. The ending could have been more clear for i expected a happily-ever-after kind of climax but it is evident by now that it isn't .

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