Two Documentaries by Kore-eda

Part of the BAMcinematek series The Films of Hirokazu Kore-eda

Tue, Sept 1 at 7pm

Lessons From a Calf (Mou Hitotsu No Kyouiku – Ina Shogakkou Haru Gumi No Kiroku)

Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda

(1991) 47min

Kore-eda’s first film follows an elementary school class as they raise a dairy cow named Laura. This documentary captures their curiosity and enthusiasm as they care for her over the course of a year and become increasingly attached to their bovine specimen. When it is time to send Laura back to the farm, the film ends with a resonant final evocation of loss.

However (Shikashi – Fukushi Kirisute No Jidainni)

Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda

(1991) 47min

Originally meant to document the government’s policy toward health compensation, However… became an exploration of the life of Yamanouchi Toyonori. The head of Japan’s Social Welfare Bureau, Yamanouchi compensated victims poisoned by polluted drinking water. As the Japanese government became increasingly reluctant to compensate victims, Yamanouchi became increasingly frustrated, eventually committing suicide over the issue.