The Works and Days (of Tayoko Shiojiri in the Shiotani Basin)

About This Movie

The Works and Days is a fascinating deep dive into rural life, sprawling across eight hours that give you a real sense of time and space. It’s not just about farming; it captures the rhythm of life in a tiny village nestled in the Kyoto mountains. The pacing is almost meditative, which allows you to really absorb the changing seasons and the family dynamics at play. The practical effects are rooted in reality, making the simplicity of their daily tasks feel profound, while the performances are raw and genuine. It’s distinctive in how it presents time—not as a linear progression but as a vast, textured experience. There’s something almost hypnotic about the stillness and the attention to detail that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Long runtime allows for deep character exploration.Captures the essence of rural Japanese life.Shot over a significant period, enhancing authenticity.