| My Small Land | |
| Director: | Emma Kawawada |
| Starring: | Lina Arashi |
| Music: | ROTH BART BARON |
| Country: | Japan |
| Language: | Japanese |
| Runtime: | 114 minutes |
is a 2022 Japanese drama film directed by Emma Kawawada.[1]
Sarya is a Kurdish refugee, living in Saitama prefucture in Japan, with her younger brother and sister, and her father. Her Mother died in her unnamed home country (one of the countries of the Kurdistan region), and her father moved them their to escape political detention. They live in an apartment, their father working on a construction site with other Kurds. Sarya secretly gets a job, not telling her father, at a convenience store. It is there she meets Sota, who is the nephew of the owner. Sota and her strike up a friendship.
Sarya is caught between two cultures, but obviously feels loyalty to her new home in Japan, while her father looks towards his Kurdish roots. This includes his wish for Sarya to marry a Kurdish boy who lives in Japan as well. Sarya has no interest in the prospect, and leaves the room every time it is discussed. Things take a dramatic turn when Sarya's father plea for them to have refugee status is rejected. He is told they can't work, and have to stay in Saitama. Sarya spends more time with Sota, and she brings him home. Her father is initially receptive to him, however later tells her she can't spend time with him, and slaps Sarya. Sarya is upset and leaves the room. She later goes to find her bicyclye, but her father has taken it.
Her father, however, continues to work. The police investigate the site, and he is arrested and put in prison when he is found not to have ID papers and to be working illegally. The father believes the case is lost, and decides to return to his homeland, where he awaits arrest. Meanwhile, Sarya has lost her job as she is an illegal immigrant and can't work. However, their solicitor reveals her father has taken a deal whereby he leaves the country, but his children stay. Eventually, Sarya and her children's life continue, and Sarya is thankful that her life can continue in Japan.
Her father, sister, and brother and played by her actual siblings and father, with her father using his actual beard and hair. The film was forced to stop production at various times, because of covid restrictions, and according to the director, there were concerns it wouldn't be finished. [2]
The director, Kawadama, was supported by noted Japanese director Kore-eda. The film was shot in 2022, mainly in the Tokyo and Saitama district. Arashi was just 17 when the film was shot. [3]
The film was awarded the "Amnesty International Film Award Special Mention" at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival.