Breath of Rokkasho (2017)
A quietly urgent Japanese drama about faith, identity, and the ideals we inherit — set against the charged landscape of nuclear-age rural Japan.
Breath of Rokkasho - Movie Information
- Original Title: 息衝く
- Release Year: 2017
- Directed by: Bunyo Kimura
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 2h 10m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Alternative Titles: 息衝く (JP)
- Production Companies: team JUDAS 2017
- Production Countries: Japan
Breath of Rokkasho - Plot
Japanese society is without ideals - Two men and one woman, who grew up in a religious organization in , meet again and question their own ideals.
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Breath of Rokkasho - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Bunyo Kimura
Main Cast
- Shigeki Yanagisawa
- Nana Nagao
- Ryuta Furuya
- Tokuichi Saito
- Maki Nishiyama
- Yusuke Noguchi
Writers
- Shin Kanesawa
- Bunyo Kimura
- Shunsuke Sugita
- Hirotakawa Kuwahara
- Kisara Nakaue
Breath of Rokkasho - FAQs
What is Breath of Rokkasho about?
Breath of Rokkasho follows two men and a woman who were raised together in a religious organization in rural Japan. When they reunite as adults, they are forced to confront their personal ideals against the backdrop of a Japanese society that seems to have lost its moral compass and sense of direction.
What does the title Breath of Rokkasho refer to?
Rokkasho is a real village in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, known for its controversial nuclear reprocessing facility. The title evokes the tension between life — breath — and the shadow of nuclear catastrophe, grounding the film's spiritual and political themes in a very specific, charged landscape.
How does religion shape the story in this film?
Religion is the shared foundation that binds the three central characters. Having grown up inside a religious organization, they carry its teachings into adulthood — but reuniting forces each of them to question whether those beliefs still hold meaning, or whether they were simply a substitute for genuine ideals.
Is Breath of Rokkasho connected to nuclear politics in Japan?
Yes, the film is deeply rooted in the political reality of Rokkasho, a village at the center of Japan's nuclear energy debate. The setting is not incidental — it frames the characters' personal crises within a broader national question about risk, ideology, and what kind of future Japanese society is willing to accept.
Who directed Breath of Rokkasho?
Breath of Rokkasho was directed by Bunyo Kimura, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Shin Kanesawa, Shunsuke Sugita, Hirotakawa Kuwahara, and Kisara Nakaue. The film was produced under the banner of team JUDAS 2017 and represents a collaborative, politically engaged approach to Japanese cinema.
Who are the main actors in Breath of Rokkasho?
The cast is led by Shigeki Yanagisawa, Nana Nagao, and Ryuta Furuya as the three central characters whose reunion drives the story. They are joined by Tokuichi Saito, Maki Nishiyama, and Yusuke Noguchi in supporting roles that round out the film's intimate ensemble.
What films are similar to Breath of Rokkasho?
If Breath of Rokkasho resonates with you, films like Shoplifters (2018), Suzaku (1997), Evil Does Not Exist (2023), and A Gentle Breeze in the Village (2007) explore comparable themes of rural Japan, community, and quiet moral reckoning. Tokyo Family (2013) and Café Lumière (2004) also share its contemplative, humanist spirit.
How long is Breath of Rokkasho?
Breath of Rokkasho runs for 130 minutes — just over two hours. That runtime gives director Bunyo Kimura room to let the story breathe, allowing the characters' emotional and ideological tensions to develop at a measured, deliberate pace rather than rushing toward resolution.
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