5th OKINAWA INTERNATIONAL MOVIE FESTIVAL

Storyline

The language has cultivated the culture.
The language carrys not only the meanings of the word but also the deep messages. In the daily conversation, it passes the way of living of Okinawans.
In reality, the number of people who speak in Okinawan language decreases every year.
I feel confused to be praised by others for the Okinawan language I naturally use.
This is a documentary film consisting of interviews to five people who are rooted in Okinawa and speak in Okinawan language.
You should be able to read the Okinawan culture itself from the interview. (By Rinken Teruya) All the cast members talk about themselves in Okinawan language.
Bokunen Naka (wood engraving print artist): His unique way of talking gives you the philosophical taste and makes you feel the expansiveness of the universe.
Kurayoshi Takara (historian): There is no one who would not be empathized with his words with the full knowledges of Ryukyu history.
Masaharu Noguni (Mayor of Chatan-cho): His words backed by his experiences to go through the World War II carry deep importance.
Rinken Teruya (composer): He has established Rinken Band that sings only in Okinawan language and still performs Okinawan language-only shows.
Tomoko Uehara (Ryukyu folksong singer): She's been singing Ryukyu folksongs on stage as a professional singer since she was 6 years old.

Plot

All the cast members talk about themselves in Okinawan language.
Bokunen Naka (wood engraving print artist) was born and raised in Izena.
His unique way of talking gives you the philosophical taste and makes you feel the expansiveness of the universe.
Kurayoshi Takara (historian) was born in Izena and raised in Kitadaito.
There is no one who would not be empathized with his words with the full knowledges of Ryukyu history.
Masaharu Noguni (Mayor of Chatan-cho) was born and raised in Chatan.
His words backed by his experiences to go through the World War II carry deep importance.
Rinken Teruya (composer) was born in the city of Okinawa.
He has established Rinken Band that sings only in Okinawan language and still performs Okinawan language-only shows.
Tomoko Uehara (Ryukyu folksong singer) was born in Itoman.
She's been singing Ryukyu folksongs on stage as a professional singer since she was 6 years old.

CAST

Rinken Teruya, Bokunen Naka, Kurayoshi Takara, Masaharu Noguni, Tomoko Uehara

Director & Work Data

Director

Rinken Teruya

Year

2013

Copyright

"Okinawa Language" Production Committee