The Inland Sea (1991)

The Inland Sea: Directed by Lucille Carra. With Donald Richie, Keijo Hasegawa, Akira Hamada, Tasuya Hatanaka. In 1971, author and film scholar Donald Richie published a poetic travelogue about his explorations of the islands of Japan’s Inland Sea, recording his search for traces of a traditional way of life as well as his own journey of self-discovery. Twenty years later, filmmaker Lucille Carra undertook a parallel trip inspired by Richie’s by-then-classic book, capturing images of hushed beauty and meeting people who still carried on the fading customs that Richie had observed. Interspersed with surprising detours-a visit to a Frank Sinatra-loving monk, a leper colony, an ersatz temple of plywood and plaster-and woven together by Richie’s narration as well as a score by celebrated composer Toru Takemitsu, The Inland Sea is an eye-opening voyage and a profound meditation on what it means to be a foreigner.

“I like the animation and the songs. The mission that the characters have to do is heart warming. Itu0026#39;s great to have Gloria Estefan singing in it too.”