RAMBLERS

Ramblers (Lializumu no Yado) Japan

Young amateur filmmakers Tsuboi and Kinoshita arrive in a desolate town to spend a holiday with their friend, Funkai, a well-known actor. However, Funkai doesn't show up, forcing the two new visitors to wander aimlessly around the town. Meandering through the bleak landscape, they wander along the beach, bathe in hot springs, talk about their stillborn artistic careers and chance upon the occasional villager. While rambling along one day they meet a girl, Atsuko, and a bond is quickly established with this welcome newcomer. Joining the guys on their 'vacation', Atsuko shares their lodgings, eats with them, but refuses to disclose anything about herself beyond her name. They decide to set out on a short journey together, but then quite suddenly Atsuko disappears.

Referred to as Japan's Jim Jarmusch, director Yamashita Nobuhiro wowed Festival audiences last year with No One's Ark. This deadpan adaptation of a Japanese comic strip plays out like a manga version of Waiting for Godot, reaffirming Yamashita's reputation for masterful, wryly humorous drama.

D Yamashita Nobuhiro P Sadai Yuji, Tomioka Kunihiko, Okamoto Haruo S Mukai Kosuke, Yamashita Nobuhiro WS Bitters End Inc L Japanese w/English subtitles TD 35mm/Col/2003/83mins

Yamashita Nobuhiro was born in Aichi, Japan in 1976. Films include: Hazy Life (1999), No One's Ark (MIFF 2003).