THE GREAT PASSAGE/ FUNE WO AMU
Japan, 2013, 134 Minutes, Colour.
Ryuhei Matsuda, Joe Odagiri, Aoi Miyazaki.
Directed by Yuya Ishii.
A fine and humane film that can be well recommended.
Although, caution may be needed for the unwary. This is a film that is about words, that delights in words and their meaning. It is a film about the research for the writing of a dictionary over a period of 15 years. And, one might add, it is a film about proofreading! Given those cautions, it is a film which could be appreciated by most audiences making allowance for the lack of adrenaline-pumping (or adrenaline pumping for the discovery of new words and preparing each proof for the dictionary!).
The context is Japan in the 1990s, a publishing company deciding that a new dictionary needed to be produced for the 21st century, acknowledging the work done on previous dictionaries, and the amount of time and energy taken, but deciding to make precise definitions of words, succinct descriptions, including classical words in those from tradition but also trying to accommodate contemporary developments.
At one stage, and this is a challenge for the audience as well as those preparing the dictionary: what is the definition of “right” (as different from “left”)? This challenge, which tantalises some of the researchers, brings home how hard it can be to write precise definitions.
In the division for preparing the dictionary is a professor and an elderly man who is expert but who has to retire because of his wife’s illness. One of the bright sparks and his girlfriend realise that there is a very quiet man in the office, socially awkward, but with a degree in linguistics, who could be invited to take on the job. His name is Matsu. He does take on the job and spends the next 15 years painstakingly working. His lively friend supports him especially when the manager of the publishing firm decides to close down the dictionary project. He pleads the case and offers to transfer to advertising and promotion to save the project – something which, eventually, is to the benefit of the dictionary when it is finally launched.
In the meantime, Matsu is cared for by a kind landlady. He is also attracted to a fellow-boarder, a trainee chef, charming and friendly who invites him to taste her preparations. There is an awkward moment when he writes a letter in old Japanese style, which she cannot read, but prefers to hear the words from him, spoken. Over the years, they become a devoted couple.
Actually, there is some drama in the narrative, especially when Matsu has his attention drawn to an error in the galleys so that he takes full responsibility but it sets back the progress of the dictionary for some time. This means that he has to hire a staff of students to do the proofreading, that they have to live in at the office, day and night in shifts, so that the work will be done on time.
There is also some human drama with the elderly professor and his wife, his becoming ill and dying, and the old man who had pioneered the dictionary comes to assist after his own wife’s death.
There is an emotional climax at the end, the launching of the dictionary and a wonderful letter from the old professor, given to Matsu by the professor’s wife, a fine tribute to what he has done and achieved.
A wonderful narrative, characterisations, images for lovers of words.
1. The title? Title of the dictionary? The journey for readers and consultants of the dictionary, journey into language and meaning? The personal journey of the editors, especially Matsu?
2. The title, a film about words, meanings of words, finding the meanings, compiling dictionaries, definition and clarity, checking words, publication, proofs, the quality of the printed paper? A film for lovers of words?
3. Japanese film, 1995, the cast, the work on the dictionary until 2010?
4. Araki and the Professor, the publisher, scenes of detail of the work, the cards, references, the history of dictionaries, the years taken to compile, the requirements of dedication? The illustration of the definition of “right”, the various meanings of “right” and the various attempts to define it? The huge task, modern words, the traditional words and “cool” words?
5. Araki, his character, age, dedication, the illness of his wife, looking for a successor? Engaging the help of Noshiaki and his girlfriend? Their recommending Matsu? The interview, his awkwardness, reticence, shyness, being given the job?
6. Matsu, his age, loner, his linguistic studies, the boarding house, the landlady and her care for him? The job, his presence, dedication, at his desk, cards, continually checking, the years passing? The support of Noshiaki?
7. The different time stages and the work, Matsu, the landlady, the encounter with Kaguya, nice, attractive, reticent? The attraction? Advice from Noshiaki? Writing the letter, the old Japanese style, and not being able to read it? Her wanting him to speak, express himself? Her cooking, ambitions, to be a shift, his tasting her food, the bond, the years passing?
8. The publisher, wanting to cancel the dictionary, Noshiaki defying him, the conditions, his being transferred to sales?
9. The staff of the dictionary, going to diners to hear and collect modern words, Matsu, the woman assisting, the Professor, Araki and his contributions? The dictionary? The various drafts, buying the paper, touching the paper, turning the pages, the format, wanting clarity?
10. Araki, his wife, the choice? The Profesor and his wife, illness, hospital, the visit, his death? The publisher giving Matsu the letter at the launch, the wife and her praise of?
11. The editing, the various drafts, the proofs, discovering the mistake, editing Matsu accepting responsibility to deal with the mistake? Hiring the students as proofreaders, proof checking, their living in, food, drink, sleep?
12. Noshiaki, his encouragement, his sales pitches?
13. The launch, the achievement, Matsu and the years of his life, his being with Kaguya and her support?
14. A film for lovers of words, even lovers of proofreading, words and their role in culture and civilisation?
