A Gentle Breeze in the Village

Plot summary

One of six students in a combined primary and junior high school, Soyo Migita (Kaho) is the most senior pupil. For her, school is a joyful experience with an extended family of loving little brothers and sisters, but her days as the tallest and oldest student are soon to be over.

Hiromi Osawa (Masaki Okada), a cool boy from Tokyo, arrives in the village. Attracted to him, Soyo tries to ignore the feelings that begin to occupy her heart and mind. However, she soon surrenders to her passion and learns to act upon her newfound emotions.

Main characters

Soyo Migita (右田 そよ, Migita Soyo), birthday: May 18

Hiromi Oosawa (大沢 広海, Ōsawa Hiromi), birthday: December 12

A boy who came from Tokyo and became Soyo's first classmate. He later becomes her boyfriend. He has a very good sense of fashion.

Atsuko Yamabe (山辺 篤子, Yamabe Atsuko)

One grade younger than Soyo and her best friend. She wants to be a manga illustrator. She uses Hiromi as a model for the male character in her story.

Ibuki Taura (田浦 伊吹, Taura Ibuki)

One grade younger than Soyo and her best friend. His house is a store.

Itoko Migita (右田 以東子, Migita Itoko)

Mother of Soyo.

Film

The film was shown at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival during the Contemporary World Cinema programme. It was later shown at the 28th Yokohama Film Festival.

Tennen Kokekkō was ranked as the 2007 Asahi Best Ten Film Festival Number 1, 2007 Japan Movie Best Ten Number 2, and as the 2007 Yokohama Film Festival Japan Movie Best Ten Number 2. Kaho has won two new actress awards from this film, including the Best New Actress award.

Cast

Kaho as Soyo Migita

Masaki Okada as Hiromi Osawa

Erisa Yanagi as Ibuki Taura

Shoko Fujimura as Atsuko Yamabe

Yui Natsukawa as Itoko Migita

Kōichi Satō as Atsuko's Father

Staff

Director: Nobuhiro Yamashita

Filming: Tatsuto Kondō

Music: Rei Harakami

Theme song: "Kotoba wa Sankaku Kokoro wa Shikaku" by Kururi

Filming location

Shimane prefecture