Directed by:
Akira IkedaScreenplay:
Akira IkedaCinematography:
池田直矢Composer:
かみむら周平Cast:
Kô Maehara, Hiroki Konno, Hiroki Nakajima, Naoya Shimizu, Manami Hashimoto, Taro Yabe, Hairi Katagiri, Kyūsaku Shimada, Yasuhiro Koseki, Naoto Takenaka (more)Plots(1)
The soldiers no longer know why they are at war, and when it even started. Daily and dutifully they march to the river and shoot at the opposite village from 9 to 5 – orders are orders after all. They’ve done so for decades. When private Tsuyuki is transferred to the marching band, people keep asking him what use music is in times of war. This Japanese film, named after the famous Strauss waltz "An der schönen blauen Donau", wryly highlights the absurdity of overbearing bureaucracy that Japan and many other countries suffer from. The beauty of the snippets of waltz Tsuyuki plays on his trumpet are a marked contrast to the pointless war, which largely remains out of sight. Ikeda Akira, who won a Tiger Award in 2014 for Anatomy of a Paper Clip, frames everything with military discipline. (International Film Festival Rotterdam)
(more)Cast
Kô Maehara
Japan
Best movies:
Tori Girl (2017)
Hiroki Konno
Japan
Hiroki Nakajima
Japan
Best movies:
Confessions (2010)
Lesson of the Evil (2012)
The World of Kanako (2014)
Naoya Shimizu
Japan
Manami Hashimoto
Japan
Best movies:
Masquerade Hotel (2019)
Chanbara Beauty (2008)
Taro Yabe
Japan
Hairi Katagiri
Japan
Best movies:
Perfect Days (2023)
Hačikó monogatari (1987)
Kamome Diner (2006)
Kyūsaku Shimada
Japan
Best movies:
Memories of Matsuko (2006)
One Million Yen Girl (2008)
Sad Vacation (2007)
Yasuhiro Koseki
Japan
Naoto Takenaka
Japan
Best movies:
Vengeance for Sale (2001)
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)
I Just Didn't Do It (2006)
Renji Ishibashi
Japan
Best movies:
Farewell to the Ark (1984)
Half a Confession (2004)
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in Land of Demons (1973)