About the Film
For years, Toichi has been rowing his little boat to ferry the villagers to and from a town on the other side of the river. While he meets a huge number of people daily, with different personalities, thoughts, interests, behaviors, psychologies and moods,he generally keeps to himself. He only talks or interacts with others when spoken to, and when needed, with no real relationships or friends—except Genzo, his young neighbor, with whom he eats his meals, chats, and exchanges anecdotes.
One night, his boat collides with a body, and as he snatches it out of the water, he discovers that it is an unconscious young woman with signs of violence and torture. With Ginzo's help, he carries her to his wooden house, takes her in, and nurses her back to health. When she wakes up, she remains silent, disappears for a while, and then she returns to Toichi’s house.
In the upstream of the river—not too far from Toichi’s house—a large bridge is being constructed, which threatens his little business. Moreover, he struggles with his own past, his own life; his dreams, nightmares and concerns that surface from time to time, pulling him into bouts of anger and confusion. This is portrayed through the director of photography Christopher Doyle’s masterful approach, creating a visual balance between what happens within the protagonist’s soul, and the beautiful nature—all amid silent moments and the wonderful music of Tigran Hamasyan.
Throughout the film, some questions remain: What happened in the neighboring village? Does it have anything to do with the young woman whose face reflects both innocence and a violent shock? Who is this beautiful young woman, full of mystery and silence? What will happen when the bridge is finished? These questions are addressed through the narrative and trajectory of the film, revolving around the circumstances of its characters, as well as the general geographical, human, emotional, and poetic climates.
Nadim Jarjoura
