The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme: Organ (Ano Hi No Orugan)

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme

Emiko Hiramatsu's Ano Hi No Orugan (Organ) is a delightfully crafted and delicately produced drama. It stirs a beautifully emotive story on the selfless fight for survival in wartime Japan.

Hiramatsu's film is a beautifully curated feature with wonderfully stellar performances. The balance of tone is extraordinarily implemented. There are light moments of humour through the use of character as well as profoundly poignant sequences. These very sequences showcase not only the colossal gravitas of war but the heartfelt sacrifice of the brave women who accomplished so much in the midst of chaos.

Both moments are weaved in an effective manner. Writer-director, Emiko Hiramatsu presents the former in a glorious personality that is present throughout: humorous but never overly farcical. Hiramatsu playfully writes with a beautiful tone which is coupled with the wonderful performance of Sakurako Ohara's Mitsue. A portrayal which, at every turn, breathes energy and warmth to this tale. It is an engaging and heartfelt performance with great depth and emotional range. Ohara projects a tremendous display of skill. 

Erika Toda adds another superb layer to proceedings as Kaede. Ohara showcases warmth and a playful nature of life in Mitsue. Toda conveys the hard-hitting reality of the situation unfolding. It is a performance interwoven in stoic intensity that bursts in a tremendous explosive weight when utilised. Specifically, with sequences in which the gravity of violence is present, Toda executes a powerful emotive silence. 

The characters of Ohara and Toda intertwine and often clash heads in the thematic direction. This ultimately helps the emotional conviction and heightens the intensity and atmosphere of Ano Hi No Orugan. Ultimately, the film elevates what is essentially a conventional tale on paper but with strong writing and superb performances. Hiramatsu's Ano Hi No Orugan is one that hits deep to the core.

This review is brought to you with the help from Dave Garratt and The Square Chapel of Arts Centre in Halifax. Who without their kind generosity could not have made this review possible