A Meditation on the Intricacies of Familial Bonds Through “Still Walking” by Hirokazu Kore-eda
Still Walking (2008) is a Japanese film directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, who is known for his realistic and poignant portrayals of human relationships. The film depicts one day in the life of the Yokoyama family, who gather every year to commemorate the death of their eldest son, Junpei, who drowned 12 years ago while saving a boy’s life. The film explores the complex and subtle dynamics among the family members, who struggle to cope with their grief, resentment, guilt, and expectations.
The film is not a conventional drama with a clear plot or climax. Rather, it is a slice-of-life observation of the mundane and ordinary moments that make up a family reunion. The film relies on simple gestures, domestic routines, and natural dialogues to convey the emotions and personalities of the characters. The film also uses food as a metaphor for the family’s history and culture, as well as a means of communication and connection. The film’s title, Still Walking, suggests both the continuity of life and the difficulty of moving on from the past.
One of the main themes of the film is the contrast between the parents and the children, who have different views and values about life, work, and family. The father, Kyohei, is a retired doctor who is bitter and disappointed that his surviving son, Ryota, did not follow his footsteps and become a doctor. He also resents Ryota for marrying a widow with a young son, whom he sees as bad luck. The mother, Toshiko, is a devoted and caring housewife who still clings to the memory of Junpei and treats his belongings as sacred relics. She also invites the boy whom Junpei saved every year to their reunion, making him feel guilty and uncomfortable.
The children, on the other hand, have their own struggles and aspirations that are often ignored or dismissed by their parents. Ryota is an art restorer who is unhappy with his job and feels insecure about his role as a husband and a stepfather. He also feels that his parents favor Junpei over him and that he can never live up to their expectations. His wife, Yukari, is a kind and gentle woman who tries to fit in with the family and bond with them. She also worries about her son, Atsushi, who is shy and withdrawn. The daughter, Chinami, is a cheerful and optimistic woman who wants to move in with her parents and take care of them. She also wants to have a harmonious relationship with her brother and sister-in-law.
The film shows how these characters interact with each other in various situations, such as eating meals together, taking walks around the neighborhood, playing games with the children, or having conversations in private. The film reveals their hidden feelings, thoughts, and secrets through their expressions, body language, tone of voice, or silences. The film also shows how they cope with their conflicts or misunderstandings through humor, forgiveness, compromise, or acceptance.
The film does not offer any easy solutions or resolutions to the family’s problems. Instead, it shows how they manage to coexist despite their differences and difficulties. The film also suggests that there is hope for healing and reconciliation among them, as they share some moments of warmth, affection, and gratitude. The film ends with a poignant scene where Ryota receives a phone call from his mother after he leaves the house. She tells him that she loves him and that he should call her more often. Ryota smiles and thanks her before hanging up. He then walks away with his wife and son, while his mother watches them from the window.
Still Walking is a film that invites us to reflect on our own relationships with our families and ourselves. It reminds us that families are not perfect or idealized entities, but rather complex and dynamic systems that are constantly evolving and changing. It also reminds us that families are not only sources of pain or burden, but also sources of love and support. It challenges us to appreciate the small and simple things that make up our lives and to cherish the people who walk with us along the way.
