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A lowly but academically diligent warrior named Bessho Hikoshiro finds himself unable to move up in the world due to the stifling caste system of the Bakumatsu era. After being expelled from the household into which he was adopted through marriage and separated from his wife and son, he moves in with his disapproving elder brother and his wife. He meets his old class rival Enomoto Takeaki, now a commander of a naval ship, and is later told by a kindly noodle shop owner that Enomoto's rise in social status came about after he prayed at a shrine in Mukojima.

I first saw this film at the Hong Kong International Film Festival in 1981 and have often looked for it since (without any luck). Of the 50 films I saw in those 16 days (including masterpieces by Angelopoulos, and Syberberg's Hitler, A Film From Germany), Yamada's simple story turned out to be my favorite. When it recently turned up in a 5-disk Yoji Yamada box set, I immediately ordered it. Well, the disk is very poor quality, a murky transfer with the widescreen compositions butchered by a truly wretched pan-and-scan job -- and yet the quality of the film still manages to shine through. On its surface, there's nothing particularly remarkable about A Distant Cry From Spring. A widow struggles to maintain a small farm in a remote area of Hokkaido, fighting the elements and raising her young son. One brutally stormy night, a stranger appears at the door looking for shelter. Though wary, the widow offers him her hospitality. He leaves, but then returns in the spring and asks for work, desiring only room and board in return. What follows is the depiction of a slowly developing emotional bond set against a beautifully observed portrait of daily life on the farm, an endless round of backbreaking chores which constantly threaten to overwhelm the lonely woman. There is nothing terribly surprising in the revelations which eventually emerge about the characters, but they are so finely drawn and their emotional lives resonate with such authenticity, that only a cold-blooded viewer could fail to be moved by the film's resolution. Yamada is a master of emotional nuance and a brilliant observer of the small details of ordinary lives, which he obviously holds in some kind of awe, and in which he finds a kind of magic. He makes you feel for the characters without ever stooping to sentimentality or easy manipulation. His work deserves to be more widely known, and he certainly deserves better treatment from DVD distributors. Comments from IMDB

Jiang Tian left home to work as an interior designer in Beijing and was transferred out to a branch in her hometown of Suzhou where she meets her 60-year-old roommate and fellow colleague, Wu Jing Fang. They establish a deep friendship through many setbacks while realizing their plan to help renovate old houses. Jiang Tian's plan to return to Beijing falls through when she not only gets dumped but also loses her job. Brokenhearted and unemployed, Jiang Tian has no choice but to stay in her hometown. Wu Jing Fang accompanies Jiang Tian out of her darkest days and becomes her assistant in order to learn how to design. Under Wu Jing Fang's influence, Jiang Tian finds a way to achieve a personal breakthrough while integrating into her hometown. Wu Jing Fang also rediscovers her self-worth in her sixties and reenters the competitive society. While helping others build their ideal homes, they have also determined the path they will take in the future.

A healing program where celebrities will present their own music and homemade dishes at a live bar next to the mysterious and beautiful sea. The variety show revolves around three key words: sea, bar, and wish. The guests who visit will be able to get out of their daily lives and spend a special day with the cool ocean, music, and delicious food. Actress Lee Ji Ah will be heading the cast as the main chef of the seaside bar, while Lee Dong Wook will serve as the main bartender. Actress Kim Go Eun will demonstrate her love for the ocean as a lifeguard and server, while Yoon Jong Shin and Suhyun will handle the music. Last but not least, SHINee's leader Onew will handle desserts as the baker of the team.