The Inland Sea (1991) - August 13, 2019

[Scottie]

In 1971, author and film scholar Donald Richie published a poetic travelogue about his explorations of the islands of Japan’s Inland Sea, recording his search for traces of a traditional way of life as well as his own journey of self-discovery. Twenty years later, filmmaker Lucille Carra undertook a parallel trip inspired by Richie’s by-then-classic book, capturing images of hushed beauty and meeting people who still carried on the fading customs that Richie had observed. Interspersed with surprising detours—a visit to a Frank Sinatra–loving monk, a leper colony, an ersatz temple of plywood and plaster—and woven together by Richie’s narration as well as a score by celebrated composer Toru Takemitsu, The Inland Sea is an eye-opening voyage and a profound meditation on what it means to be a foreigner.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by cinematographer Hiro Narita, with uncompressed stereo soundtrack on the Blu-ray

New interview with director Lucille Carra

New conversation between filmmaker Paul Schrader and cultural critic Ian Buruma on author Donald Richie

Interview with Richie from 1991

New English subtitle translation

PLUS: An essay by scholar Arturo Silva

New cover by Tatsuro Kiuchi

https://www.criterion.com/films/28747-the-inland-sea

[anthonyls]

I'm not familiar with this film, but from the description, it looks fantastic. Just my cup of tea.

[dwk]

MSRP has been lowered to $29.95

[u2popmofo]

Extremely positive review on the front page of the site for this, has anyone picked it up yet? I lived in Japan for a couple years in the '90's, really feel like I should make a blind buy.

[u2popmofo]

Originally Posted by u2popmofo

Extremely positive review on the front page of the site for this, has anyone picked it up yet? I lived in Japan for a couple years in the '90's, really feel like I should make a blind buy.

I did make a blind buy some time back, finally got around to watching it tonight. Quite smitten with it. Beautiful cinematography and soundtrack, a short runtime of an hour that flies by. Great watch for anyone interested in Japan or Japanese culture.

The disc appears to be quite inexpensive now, and I believe it's on the Criterion Channel as well. Definitely worth checking out, I'm already wanting to buy the book it's based on.