Howard Schumann For those who can remember or those who have yet to discover, the first few weeks at college away from home can be the most unsettling, scary, and challenging time of our life, yet few films have chosen to dramatize this commonly shared experience, preferring instead to dwell on outrageous varieties of anti-social behavior. In April Story, a 1998 film, Shunji Iwai continues his sensitive interpretations of the difficulties young people face in stepping gingerly into the adult world. This 68-minute film has little plot and no big events, only the small struggles of daily life that are filled with the subtle meanings that help us grow.Set amidst the blossoming of the spring flowers in Japan that signal the start of the new Japanese school year, April Story, aided by a solo piano and the beautiful cinematography of Shinoda Noboru, has a calming and meditative effect. For the shy and innocent Uzuki Noreno (Takako Matsu), however, coming to Musashino University in Tokyo from rural Hokkaido may be the psychological equivalent of landing on the moon. In the first week alone, she faces the not too delicate questioning of fellow students about her background and why she came to college, the loneliness of being away from home for the first time, and the confusing time of signing up for classes and studying such strange topics as Investment in the Japanese Economy and Cultural Anthropology.Although withdrawn, Uzuki is adventurous enough to join a Fly-Fishing Club at the urging of her only friend Saeko Sano (Rumi), but is embarrassed when she confuses one Brad Pitt movie for another in a discussion with the group leader. One of the loveliest scenes takes place when the newly recruited club members stand in an open field and cast their fishing rods rhythmically into the air. Uzuki's exploration of her surroundings brings daily trips to the local bookstore (where she is intrigued by a bushy-haired young clerk), an encounter with a harassing gentleman in a movie theater, and the inviting sounds of a street band. Fearfully, she reaches out to her neighbors but achieves little result. It is only late in the film that the real reason for her attending this particular university emerges and in a heavy spring rain that paints the city with a refreshing glow, the magic of first love begins to unfold.

Atavisten A girl moves from Hokkaido in the north to attend university in Tokyo. Shigatsu Monogatari shows how difficult this can be in terms of meeting new friends, socialize with the neighbours and a Shunji Iwai topic, love.This is slow moving, some times very real-like. Some times it gets too slow, and at 67 minutes running time that is not too good. I have respect for the director, but what I have seen from him up until now has been not more than promising. It sometimes has the realism of Ozu, but not his actors or visuals. That said, its still a great movie. The sequence with the red umbrella was beautiful.

Dave-689 This is a delightful film that I fell in love with on a flight to South East Asia. Because it is so short I must have watched it five or six times and consequently I grew to love it more and more.It has a lovely distant calming quality on you, which is reflected in the slow pace of the film, yet the pace does not make the film any less enjoyable, it actually brings you closer to the central character of the girl and makes you feel a part of her life. This film also had a poignant effect on me as I was going to see my Asian girlfriend and as a result brought a lump to my throat at times.In summary an excellent piece of Japanese film making, that captures the mood of going to University, making friends, feeling lonely at times, being in love and happy.I just wish I could find a copy on video!

freakus This small (67 minutes) romantic story breaks no new ground but it is like a piece of candy. Sweet and thoroughly enjoyable while it lasts. I would have liked to see more develop but I think Shunji told the tale he wanted to tell, the loneliness of a girl starting college and how she finds a bit of happiness. The sort of thing high school girls fall in love with.