Documenting the production process of dried persimmons in the remote villages of Japan, from farm to store, this documentary by Ogawa Shinsuke was first filmed in 1984 but never completed. In 1999, film crews returned to one of the same villages to complete the film and to document changes in this traditional practice.

Synopsis and Review

November is a time of persimmon harvesting. In remote villages of Japan, small farmers harvest the fruit by hand and begin the production of dried persimmons using tools and methods that originated in the early 1900’s. A starkly simple film, Red Persimmons shows traditional processing of persimmons and the farmers whose livelihood depends on the fruit. Through conversations with farmers and with those who make the few instruments they use, the film shows the entire labour intensive transition from tree to package. While late director Ogawa Shinsuke did most of the filming in 1984, the current edited film and some additional scenes and interviews were filmed in 1999. Through the voice of Shinsuke and the villagers, the film stresses the loss of traditional village life, including the production of persimmons. Elders in the village worry for the future of this tradition because there are no young people taking part in the production. Though it often appears to be in need of additional editing, this is a simple and often beautifully shot film. Disappointingly, changes in knowledge and production techniques over the past fifteen years, are hardly touched on in this documentary. The segment on village life in 1999 focuses primarily on a local inventor who makes electric peelers for the persimmons. The film closes with the image of persimmon harvesting in 1999, leaving the impression that the tradition does continue, but there is no direct discussion of persimmon production fifteen years later and leaves the viewer with many questions: If the harvesting continues to this day who is taking part in it? How has it changed over the past fifteen years? Is there a younger generation involved? Are the traditional methods still used?

Prepared by Erin Smith