Synopsis
Whaling culture is alive in Japan to this day. Whalers have taken pride in their skills for centuries. This documentary captures the essence of a lifestyle with the whales through a year-long coverage of traditional coastal whaling along the Japanese coast and research whaling in the North Pacific.
The 31st Sumitomo-maru leaves a northern Japanese port on a half-year journey to catch whales. Gunner IZUMI and five sailors will be chasing whales along the Pacific coast until the season ends. Teamwork and pride among the six crew members keep their faces glowing.
For people in the Lofoten Island of northern Norway, catching whales is also a traditional way of life and whale meat an important source of protein.
Through looking at the process of whale-hunting and food consumption, the traditional relationship between the whaler and the sea as well as the principles of human subsistence are emphasized.
Staff & Cast
STAFF
- Director by Toshiaki UMEKAWA
- Original Story by Tetsujiro YAMAGAMI and Yoichi HIGASHI
- Cinematographer by Masafumi ICHINOSE
- Sound Recording by Yutaka TSURUMAKI
- Music by Eitetsu HAYASHI
- Producers by Tetsujiro YAMAGAMI and Koshiro SHO
- Production Company: Siglo, Ltd.
- Sponsored by Japan Arts Fund