Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter
Director: David Zellner
Actors: Rinko Kikuchi, Nobuyuki Katsube, Kanako Higashi
PlotA solitary Japanese woman, dissatisfied with her monotonous life in Tokyo, stumbles upon a battered VHS tape of the American film "Fargo." Believing that the fictional buried treasure depicted in the movie is real, she becomes obsessed with finding it. Working a mundane office job and facing social isolation, she meticulously plans her journey, convinced that the clues from the film will lead her to untold riches. She steals her boss's company credit card and eventually makes her way to North Dakota. Battling against cultural and language barriers, she tries to make sense of her new surroundings while clinging steadfastly to her belief in the treasure.
Her quest takes her across the snowy landscape of Minnesota, encountering a series of perplexed and compassionate locals along the way. Despite their efforts to dissuade her from her mission, she perseveres with unwavering determination. The harsh winter environment challenges her resilience, testing both her physical and mental limits. Her single-minded pursuit of the treasure underscores themes of isolation, fantasy, and the deep human desire for escape and purpose. The film poignantly captures her journey as she navigates through disillusionment and hope in search of a dream that lies at the intersection of reality and fiction.
Writers: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner
Release Date: 20 Feb 2015
Runtime: 105 min
Rating: Not Rated
Country: United States
Language: English, Japanese
Home Video Reviews
"Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter" offers strong video and audio, with mesmerizing details, but some find the concept and extras lacking, making it worth a rental.
Read our review of Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter Blu-ray to find out more