Watch Red Persimmons

Red Persimmons is a documentary film released in 2001 that reveals the intricacies of traditional Japanese fruit cultivation, specifically the delicate process of persimmon growing. The movie is a visual masterpiece and takes the audience on an insightful journey through the annual cycle of a family-owned orchard in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan. Through the movie, the audience gets to learn about the nuances involved in maintaining a centuries-old tradition that is now neglected due to the changing times and lifestyles.

The film's director, Jill Nicholls, captures the beauty and poetry of the persimmon harvesting process. She manages to get close to the farmers and their families, who are the custodians of the ancient skill of cultivating persimmons. Through her lens, she captures the quiet intensity of each farmer as they navigate the unique challenges presented by each season, from planting to harvest. The movie provides an insight into the life of these farmers and the struggles they face in the course of preserving their heritage and ensuring that the delicate persimmons reach the markets of Tokyo in perfect condition.

The film is shot over 12 months, and it follows three women farmers, Fusako, Yoshimi, and Toko, through their ups and downs in the orchard. These women are part of a long line of farmers who for generations have cultivated fruit in the Nagano region. Their dedication and passion are inspiring, and the lengths they go to, to ensure they produce the perfect fruit, is remarkable.

The movie portrays how each season brings its own set of challenges, from pollinating the flowers to the thorns on the young trees that require pruning. The farmers also face the challenge of pests, including a rare fruit-fly, which can cause substantial damage to the fruit. Yet, by sticking to their traditional methods, including the use of natural pest control methods, they persist with great determination.

The movie also delves into the politics of the fruit industry in Japan, where the government has been pushing for mass production of fruits like apples, oranges, and grapes over traditional Japanese fruits like persimmons. The farmers must learn to adapt to changing times while preserving their time-honored ways.

One of the most impressive aspects of the movie is its stunning cinematography. The camera captures the beauty of the seasons in Nagano, from the snow-covered landscape of winter to the blooming cherry blossoms of spring. The red persimmons themselves steal the show, the camera capturing the vivid colors of the fruit as they dangle from trees or are laid out to dry. Every shot is meticulously framed, and the visuals are superbly complemented by an immersive sound design that captures the humdrum of daily life on a farm.

Red Persimmons encourages the viewer to reexamine our agricultural practices and think about how we treat our food. The farmers in the movie treat persimmons as a work of art by dedicating their time and skills to create the perfect fruit. While the modern world is quick to develop shortcuts for mass production, we see through this movie that growth and natural cycles don't come with a fast-forward button. It takes patience and skill to create something unique, which is exactly what these farmers embody.

To sum up, Red Persimmons is an insightful and visually spectacular movie that highlights the importance of preserving the rich agricultural traditions of Japan. It is a must-watch for those who appreciate the beauty of nature and the intricate art of cultivating crops. The movie does an excellent job of capturing the essence of farming through the lens of seasoned farmers who are passionate about their work. It's a beautifully shot and well-made movie that is both educational and inspirational.

Red Persimmons is a 2001 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9.