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Kano is a Taiwanese baseball film set in the 1930s, directed by Umin Boya and produced by Wei Te-Sheng, who also directed and produced the Taiwanese war epic "Seediq Bale". The film follows the journey of a group of boys who are passionate about baseball and their coach who guides them towards becoming a formidable team. The story takes place in a small town in southern Taiwan where baseball is considered a foreign sport brought over by the Japanese occupation. Therefore, it is not well received by the locals who prefer traditional Chinese sports like martial arts. The film opens with a group of boys practicing baseball on a makeshift field, using coconuts as baseballs and sticks as bats, with the hope of one day playing in a proper stadium. Their coach, Kondo, is a former Japanese soldier who is passionate about the sport and sees it as a way to unite the boys and teach them valuable life lessons.

As the boys continue to practice and improve their skills, they face many challenges, including discrimination from the other teams who refuse to play against them due to their foreign sport and their lack of experience. However, things start looking up for the team when they are invited to participate in a regional tournament in Japan, where they will be playing against several other teams.

The trip to Japan is a significant milestone for the boys, and they are excited to experience a new culture and play against some of the best teams in the world. However, they soon realize that their journey will not be easy, as they face racism and discrimination from the Japanese, who do not consider them equals due to their nationality and the sport they play. Despite this, the team works hard and manages to win several games, earning the respect of their opponents and the spectators.

The film is not just about baseball; it is also about the cultural and historical context in which the sport is played. It highlights the power of sports to bring people together despite their differences and promotes cultural understanding and acceptance. The film also touches upon themes of friendship, perseverance, and determination, as the boys work hard to overcome the adversity they face.

The cinematography in Kano is stunning, capturing the natural beauty of Taiwan and Japan, and the filmmakers have done an excellent job in recreating the 1930s setting. The acting performances are impressive, particularly from the young actors who play the members of the baseball team.

The film's soundtrack is also noteworthy, featuring a mix of traditional Taiwanese and Japanese music, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the film.

Overall, Kano is a heartwarming and inspiring film that celebrates the power of sports to overcome cultural barriers and unite people from different backgrounds. It is a tribute to the spirit of the Taiwanese people who refused to let their colonial past define them and instead forged their path to progress and prosperity.

Kano is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 3 hours and 5 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.