Yuki ni negau koto

The tough, cold life in Hokkaido is matched by the lives of horses and racing crews; the course is hilly, and it's said more than once that the old horses no longer able to race meet a grim fate - as food. This low-key drama covers an unusual topic seriously, with characters who seem suited for the challenging life. There were a few times when I felt a little more could have been done with such an unusual topic, but there's no question that there's a feeling of verisimilitude in the sounds and struggles of these horses. Long after seeing the film, you may be haunted by the gray Hokkaido winter and the hyper-real sounds of the racing life.

The plot is very simple. A salaryman visits the ranch of his brother; but it becomes increasingly clear that he's come to hide. He turns out to be a natural, but there's a nagging sense that he's being tugged by two forces. The tough responsibilities of the ranch are a wake-up call that there are many whose lives embody greater challenge and risk - on a daily basis.

That said, one wonder if the subject matter wouldn't have been better served by a documentary. Certainly, there's an abundance of fascinating material, and there are times when one might prefer to see this sub-world unfettered by plot devices or characters - the kind of thing those quiet BBC documentaries do so well.