Haru's Journey (2010)

Haru's Journey provides an insider's look at Japanese culture through its themes of acceptance, endurance and familial commitment. It tells the story of elderly fisherman Tadao and his granddaughter Haru, who live in a small fishing village in Hokkaido. When Haru's job disappears, she wants to take her stubborn grandfather to live in Tokyo where she will find more opportunities. But Tadao refuses to go to the capital, sparking a search for another family member who will share his life. Thus begins a road movie driven by family dynamics, as the two set out for Japan's main island, Honshu, to see if one of Tadao's siblings will look after him. First stop is his even more cantankerous older brother, Shiego, and their testy exchange reveals there's more to Tadao's selfishness than just old age. By contrast, selfless Haru takes on responsibility for the pair's dwindling finances so their pilgrimage can continue...