Project Detail

The Earth Asleep

Synopsis

THE EARTH ASLEEP discovers hidden truths and forgotten histories about the 2011 Great East Thoku earthquake and tsunami, the most powerful disaster ever recorded in Japan. The documentary includes invaluable archive research, testimonies, ceremonial rites, spiritual beliefs, bringing a sensitive understanding of loss and trauma. Image, poetry and music intertwine in an evocative rhythmic montage of archive and original visual elements, with a score beautifully rendered and inspired by Japanese instruments, and a poem on-screen highlighting the role of the metaphor, to mark the 10th year commemoration of the lost and missing people.

The Earth Asleep is commissioned by HOME, Arts Council England and The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation. Supported by University of Salford.

Details

Year: 2021
Type of project: Features
Running time: 80 min
Director: Clara Casian
Producer: Bren O'Callaghan
Editor: Clara Casian
Sound: Jamie Birkett
Composer: Robin Richards
Principal cast: Monk Eigo Takahashi, Masahiko Haga, Itaru Sasaki, Keiko Iwama, Jotaro Urabe, Takeshi Yuhara
Epitaph Poem: Maria M Casian
Assistant Producer: Jamie Allan, Alice Wilde
Production Assistant: Atsushi Kuwayama
Colourist: Dan Parrott
Translation: Shigeo Kobayashi, Ann Kobayashi
Piano: Chris Illingworth
Synthesisers: Robin Richards, Brendan Williams
Cello: Margit Van Der Zwan
Music Mix: Brendan Williams, Jamie Birkett
Publisher: Domino Publishing

Genre

Experimental

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

HOME Arts Centre

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