The Japan Foundation KL Movies March 2006

ROAR OF THE CROWD (HARUKANARU KOSHIEN)
Color / Vista / 1990 / 103 min. / Daiei, Futaba-sha, The Idea
Date: 4 March, Saturday
Time: 4:30pm
Venue: Malaysia Tourism Centre (MTC)
Admission: Free

Director: Osawa Yutaka
Based on novels by: Ono Takuji
Setting: Okinawa in 1980s

Synopsis:In 1964, the German measles that swept fiercely through America hit Okinawa equally hard. Pregnant women who contracted the measles give birth to quite a number of babies with hearing impairments. Fifteen years later, a junior and senior high school was built just for these children. It was called Kitashiro School. One summer, Toshio, a junior goes to see the high school baseball championship in Koshien Stadium and experiences an incredible thrill. Swept away in the energetic atmosphere, he felt as though he could hear the sounds of competition. He thought, “I want to hear the sound from the grandstands again. I want to play baseball”. So on the first day of school, he asks the teacher Shinjo if they could start a baseball team. This was the first time Shinjo and the principal had heard the students voluntarily voice their own feelings, and while they didn’t support the matter unconditionally, the baseball team is born. However, a major obstacle stands in their path. The rules of the Japan High School Baseball Association contain impossible regulations. It isn’t possible to have practice meets with other schools, which do not belong to the Association, but the Association decides to watch a test match, and then judge the rules. Despite a flat-out loss against a much better team, the association accepts them and the team starts out with female managers.

Later, it’s now the last year of high school. About this time everyone is ill at ease over the prospects for finding work after graduation. Some of parents are coming out in opposition to the baseball team. As one would think, this influences the teachers and administrators, who are frustrated at the team’s inability to win, and people begin to emerge who can separate baseball from their emotions. Then Toshio thinks of setting up a practice with Ryukyu High School. With their opponents’ high skill level and fierce practice and fighting spirit, it might inspire the Kitashiro players, which is exactly what happens. It dispels all their troubles with everyone involved.

Finally, the day comes for the All Japan High School Baseball League’s Okinawa Prefecture play-offs. Everyone dreams of the championship, but when it came to their decisive game, they finally lose. Despite the outcome, each of the team’s players feels wonderful.

AIKI (Aiki)
Colour / 2002 / 119 min.

Date: 18 March, Saturday
Time: 4:30pm
Venue: Malaysia Tourism Centre (MTC)
Admission: Free

Director: TENGAN Daisuke

Synopsis: Taichi is a boxer aiming for the newcomer’s championship. But a motorcycle accident leaves his lower body paralyzed. His dreams are shattered, he is unable to find a job, and can see no clear goal for the future ahead. A coincidence leads him to a job as a street peddler and Samako, who he meets at the night market. Motivated to meet a new challenge, he visits the training gyms of various combat sports, but is turned down by all. One day, Taichi goes to see Samako at a Shinto shrine, and becomes fascinated with Aiki Jujutsu, a school of Aikido. The master Hiraishi receives the newcomer warmly. Taichi begins to think of his wheelchair as a part of his body, and makes gradual progress. But suddenly Samako disappears after getting caught up some trouble. Hiraishi offers the dazed Taichi a chance to participate in a formal Aiki presentation at a foreign embassy. Presenting a fine performance and rewarded by a solid sense of confidence, Taichi decides to embark on a journey in search of Samako.