My Small Land

My Small Land
My Small Land
Directed by	Ema Kawawada
Starring	Lina Arashi
Music by	ROTH BART BARON
Release date	12 February 2022 (BIFF);
Running time	114 minutes
Country	Japan
Language	Japanese

My Small Land (マイスモールランド) is a 2022 Japanese drama film directed by Ema Kawawada.^[1]

Plot

Sarya is a Kurdish refugee, living in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, with her younger brother, sister, and father. Her mother died in her unnamed home country (one of the countries of the Kurdistan region), and her father moved them to Japan to escape political detention. They live in an apartment, their father working on a construction site with other Kurds. Secretly from her father, Sarya gets a job at a convenience store. There, she meets Sota, the nephew of the owner. She and Sota strike up a friendship.

Sarya is caught between two cultures, feeling loyalty to her new home in Japan, while her father looks towards his Kurdish roots. This includes his wish for Sarya to marry a Kurdish boy who lives in Japan as well. Sarya has no interest in the prospect, and leaves the room every time it is discussed. Sarya's father's plea for them to have refugee status is rejected. He is told they can't work, and must stay in Saitama. Sarya spends more time with Sota and brings him home. Her father is initially receptive to him, however later tells her she can't spend time with him, and slaps Sarya. Sarya is upset and leaves the room. She later goes to find her bicycle, but her father has taken it.

Her father continues to work. The police investigate the site, and he is arrested and put in prison when he is found not to have ID papers and to be working illegally. The father believes the case is lost, and decides to return to his homeland, where he awaits arrest. Meanwhile, Sarya has lost her job as she is an illegal immigrant and can't work. However, their solicitor reveals her father has taken a deal whereby he leaves the country, but his children are allowed to stay. Eventually, Sarya and her children's life continue, and Sarya is thankful that her life can continue in Japan.

Cast

Lina Arashi - Sarya
Daiken Okudaira - Sota

Production

Her father, sister, and brother and played by her actual siblings and father. The film was forced to stop production at various times, because of COVID-19 restrictions, and according to the director, there were concerns it wouldn't be finished. ^[2]

The director, Kawawama, was supported by noted Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda. The film was shot in 2022, mainly in the Tokyo and Saitama districts. Arashi was just 17 when the film was shot. ^[3]

Awards

The film was awarded the "Amnesty International Film Award Special Mention" at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival. It was ranked 3rd place in the

References

^ Schilling, Mark (12 March 2022). "'My Small Land': An intimate look at an uncertain future". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
^ Mughal, Alisha (2022-11-11). "Confronting the Uncomfortable with 'My Small Land' Director Kawawada Emma". The Asian Cut. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
^ Hadfield, James (2022-05-06). "Emma Kawawada's humane portrayal of the Kurdish diaspora". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2024-03-16.

External links

My Small Land at IMDb
My Small Land at Rotten Tomatoes

[1] Schilling, Mark (12 March 2022). "'My Small Land': An intimate look at an uncertain future". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2023-12-14.

[2] Mughal, Alisha (2022-11-11). "Confronting the Uncomfortable with 'My Small Land' Director Kawawada Emma". The Asian Cut. Retrieved 2024-03-16.

[3] Hadfield, James (2022-05-06). "Emma Kawawada's humane portrayal of the Kurdish diaspora". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2024-03-16.

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