A village literally erased from the map refuses to disappear.
The Great Chuetsu Earthquake which struck Niigata Prefecture on October 23, 2004 is permanently engraved in the memories of most Japanese people today. Hardest hit was the small mountain village of Yamakoshi, located right above the quake’s epicentre. What has become of the villagers who suffered through this disaster seven years ago? This film enters the hearts and minds of the people of Yamakoshi as they pull together over four hard years to rebuild their village, their community, and their lives.
Direction
Hashimoto's patient observation trusts viewers to find meaning.
Editing
Four years compressed into moments that feel like lived memory.
Director
Shinichi Hashimoto
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Yamakoshi's koi carp farms, devastated in the quake, symbolize Japanese perseverance—the fish became a national fundraising icon.
Director Hashimoto spent months living in temporary housing to gain trust; several villagers initially refused filming, their absence in frames speaks volumes.
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