Hura Gâru [Hula Girls] (2006)

Japan submitted this feature as the country’s official 2006 entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category for the Academy Awards. The story involves a rural coal-mining town facing its demise from the rise of oil. A moving and heartwarming movie, cast perfectly, this Capraesque work boasts wonderful acting and direction from a solid script. Recommended.

***½ (out of *****)

©2018 David R. George III

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2006 • 2 HOURS, 1 MINUTE
CINE QUA NON • HAPPINET • STARDUST PICTURES

STARRING
• YASUKO MATSUYUKI, ETSUSHI TOYOKAWA, YÛ AOI

ALSO STARRING
• SHIZUYO YAMASAKI, SHOKO IKEZU, ERI TOKUNAGA, KOJO MIYAKE, SUSUMU TERAJIMA, MASARU SHIGA, KATSUMI TAKAHASHI, ITTOKU KISHIBE, SUMIKO FUJI

WRITTEN BY
• SANG-IL LEE & DAISUKE HABARA

DIRECTED BY
• SANG-IL LEE

NO 2006 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS