PROMISED LAND

The year is 1983 in the village of Hibara, located deep within the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture in northern Japan. In this place, the traditions of the matagi, bear hunters since ancient times, remain strong. When the snow begins to thaw, the men follow custom and put their occupations aside to head into the mountains. 20-year-old Nobuyuki loathes his hometown’s culture, traditions, and its adults, but finds himself aimlessly working on his family’s poultry farm. One day, he learns from the boss of the bear hunters that the environmental agency has banned bear hunting for this year. Only Reijiro, who is also a young hunter, rebels. He decides to go hunting, not caring whether it turns him into a poacher, and asks Nobuyuki to join him. Despite Nobuyuki’s disgust, he decides to go along with Reijiro. The sound of an avalanche reaches the village, signaling that snow is melting in the mountains. In the dark of early morning, the two set out on their own to hunt. Based on an award-winning novel, this directorial debut from Masashi Iijima is a beautifully lensed, serene and thrilling tale of the intersection between tradition and culture in the face of unstoppable change.