Watch The Foreign Duck, the Native Duck and God In A Coin Locker
- 2007
- 1 hr 50 min
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7.1 (1,035)
The Foreign Duck, the Native Duck and God in a Coin Locker is a Japanese movie released in 2007. The movie revolves around the story of two college students, Shinohara and Hyuckjee, who share a room in a small dormitory located in a remote Japanese town. The two students come from very different backgrounds; Shinohara is a Japanese student who is emotionally reserved, while Hyuckjee is a Korean student who is more outgoing and expressive. The movie follows their interactions with each other, as well as with the other residents of the dormitory and the town.
One day, Shinohara finds a lost duck in a nearby forest and takes it in. However, the duck is not native to Japan, and Shinohara soon discovers that it is an illegally imported exotic species. Meanwhile, Hyuckjee is preoccupied with a coin locker in the train station that is rumored to contain a message from God. He becomes obsessed with finding the key to the locker and unlocking its secrets. As the two students pursue their individual quests, they are forced to confront their cultural differences and the prejudices that exist between their respective countries.
One of the central themes of the movie is the idea of cultural exchange and understanding. Shinohara and Hyuckjee are initially wary of each other due to their nationalities, but they gradually become friends and begin to open up about their backgrounds and experiences. Through their conversations, the movie explores the similarities and differences between Japanese and Korean cultures, as well as the stereotypes that exist between the two countries.
The movie also touches on issues of identity and belonging. Shinohara struggles with feelings of isolation and loneliness, and he finds solace in taking care of the duck. Hyuckjee, on the other hand, feels displaced and alienated from both Japan and Korea, and he becomes fixated on the idea of finding a message from God as a way of finding meaning in his life.
The performances in the movie are strong, particularly from the two lead actors, Gaku Hamada and Eita Nagayama. Hamada plays Shinohara with a quiet intensity, conveying a sense of inner turmoil through subtle facial expressions and body language. Nagayama, meanwhile, injects a sense of humor and energy into the character of Hyuckjee, making him at once endearing and frustrating.
The cinematography in the movie is also notable, with picturesque shots of the town and surrounding countryside. The use of color and light is particularly effective, with warm, saturated hues giving the movie a dreamlike quality.
Overall, The Foreign Duck, the Native Duck and God in a Coin Locker is a thought-provoking and visually stunning movie that explores themes of cultural exchange, identity, and belonging. It is a moving portrayal of the complex relationships that exist between individuals and between countries, and it is well worth watching for anyone interested in Japanese cinema or in exploring the intersection of different cultures.