Yohei, a punk rocker, becomes a Buddhist monk in order to inherit a mountain temple. Though initially rebelling against the tough monastic discipline, he learns to adjust. Then his girlfriend shows up, enticing him to return to his rock 'n' roll roots.
Acting
Motoki's physical comedy in robes is unintentionally iconic.
Direction
Suō finds grace in the most ridiculous moments.
Score
Punk anthems clashing with temple bells, somehow works.
Director
Masayuki Suō
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Masayuki Suō later directed Shall We Dance? (1996), proving he never stopped obsessing over people learning unexpected disciplines.
Based on a 1980s manga that satirized Japan's 'temple heir' crisis—many young men were abandoning family temples, and the government was panicking.
JP
