The life story of a treasure hunter who lives in the countryside of Gunma in Japan. He is pure and kind, but has no communication skills and has a mind of his own. His sole friend is his co-worker. This man has never had sex. The friends find a robot one day. The robot wants to stay with the men. A bond is formed. The men resolve to change their lives.
Acting
Takayuki Yamada's spectacularly committed social disaster performance
Direction
Yamashita's signature deadpan patience lets absurdity breathe
Writing
Kankuro Kudo's script finds poetry in pathetic men
Director
Nobuhiro Yamashita
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on a manga by Caribu Marley, itself inspired by the director's own short film 'Hard-Core' from 2004 — Yamashita's been obsessed with these losers for 14 years.
Gunma prefecture's rural decline mirrors the men's personal stagnation; the film satirizes 'hikikomori' masculinity without mocking its loneliness.
JP
