QUILL/ QUILL: THE LIFE OF A GUIDE DOG

And, 2004, 100 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Yoichi Sai.

Here is a film for dog-lovers.

This is a Japanese production, taking its audience into Japanese life, into the world of dogs and humans, the birth of the dogs, their being taken away for training, the selection of dogs for special training to be guide dogs, the time spent with the client who needs the guide dog, each getting to know the other, the family accepting the dog…

So, all fairly straightforward, sympathetic adults, some mischievous children in the family of the client who needs the dog, but Quill, named because of a birthmark on his body, shows what a good and faithful dog can be and how, finally, he returns to the original trainers for a happy old age and retirement.

1. A film for the popular audience? For dog-lovers? For lovers of pets? Interest in Guide Dogs?

2. A Japanese story, Japanese atmosphere? The universal story?

3. The variety of locations, the woman and the birth of the dog, the one-year training with the couple, going to train as a Guide Dog, with the family of the blind man? And the return to the couple at the end? The musical score?

4. The portrait of the dog, the birth of so many pups, the woman choosing the pup for training, his being tested, sense of independence? The birthmark and the name of Quill? The year of training, becoming familiar with the couple, playing with the bear? The time of training, as a guide, learning to obey orders, with the teacher? With the client, the training of the client to use the dog? The family, the wife and her wariness, the boy and his mischief? His working with his client? The boy, the trouble, lost, returned? His going to the couple, his age, death?

5. The portrait of the humans, the woman and her care for the pups, the couple and their warmth, the chief trainer and his discipline, care for dogs, the client, his needs, the experience of the training, learning to work with the dog, his risks on the road, his family? Ordinary people and their way of life? Handicapped people?

6. Audiences responding to the dog, its life, its work with the client, skill as a guide dog, the warmth of the dogs? Humans’ best friend?