Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles
Release Date:
September 1, 2006
Limited release
When Takata hears that his long-time estranged son, Ken-ichi, is seriously ill, he takes the bullet train from his small fishing village on the Japanese coast to Tokyo. When he gets there, however, he finds out that his son still wants nothing to do with him. He does learn from his daughter-in-law that Ken-ichi has been studying a traditional form of Chinese folk drama, and even traveled to China to hear famed actor Li Jiamin perform. Li had to cancel his performance that time, but promised to sing the legendary song "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles" for Ken-ichi if he returned.
Takata takes this as an opportunity as one last chance to reconnect with his dying son, and travels to China himself to try to find Li and videotape his promised performance for Ken-ichi. The film follows Takata on his odyssey across mainland China to fulfill his quest. In the hands of director Zhang Yimou (The House of Flying Daggers, Hero, To Live, Raise the Red Lantern), it's certain to be a gorgeous journey. (Dan Krovich/BOP)
Tweet
