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Director(s):
ANDERSSON (SVEA)
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Producer(s):
ARTE GEIE, MEDIEN KONTOR Movie GMBH
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Territories:
Worldwide.
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Production year:
2007
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Language(s):
German, French
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Rights:
NON-THEATRICAL, TV, VOD, DVD, INTERNET
The inhabitants of the Japanese island of Miyako cultivate the art of living a graceful and long life.
This "sprightly and bouncy" adventure is full of life ...and poetry.
The senior folk on the island of Miyako in the Okinawa archipelago have become masters in the art of living a happy and healthy old age. They are affectionately known as "Pin-pin", or "sprightly and bouncy". Their healthy, varied and moderate diet, often sourced from their own vegetable gardens, partly explains their vitality. But it is due in greater part to their zest for life.
Right from dawn, they set to work on their daily tasks. After his morning exercises, a 100-year old Koso Kawamitsu, who is on top form, raises cattle. The activity has become his "ikigai", his reason for living. After 75 years of marriage to his wife Yuki, he is still in love with her.
2 years ago, Mitsu Shimoji opened a centre where people can learn how to weave the famous "miyako-jofu", a highly delicate blue and black material used to make the most beautiful kimonos.
Seitoku Sgama lives to the rhythm of his "sanshin", his 3-stringed guitar, made by another senior citizen. "When I play it", he says, "life stands still and waits for me". His family has the deepest respect for old age. As do all the inhabitants of the island which, once a year, pays homage to their elders during special festivities - called "keiro-no-hi".