The Land of Hope (2012 film)

The Land of Hope (Japanese: 希望の国, Hepburn: Kibō no Kuni) is a 2012 Japanese film directed by Sion Sono.^[1] Following a nuclear accident, nearby residents are forced to evacuate. A pregnant evacuee fears that she is still at risk from radiation even in her new location, while her in-laws refuse to leave their home.

The Land of Hope
Japanese name
Kanji	希望の国
Literal meaning	Country of Hope
Transcriptions Revised Hepburn Kibō no Kuni
Directed by	Sion Sono
Starring	Isao Natsuyagi Naoko Otani Jun Murakami Megumi Kagurazaka DenDen
Release dates	September 7, 2012 (2012-09-07) (Toronto International Film Festival) October 20, 2012 (2012-10-20) (Japan)
Running time	133 minutes
Countries	Japan United Kingdom Taiwan
Language	Japanese

Plot

An earthquake hits Japan causing a nuclear power plant to explode. In a small village in the fictitious Nagashima prefecture, a couple of farmers lead a most peaceful existence and cling to their property despite the instructions of the authorities who define a security perimeter cutting the locality in two. Son and daughter-in-law leave for another village, where Izumi, the young wife, discovers that she is going to give birth to a child. A film evoking the nuclear disaster in Fukushima on March 11, 2011.

Cast

• Isao Natsuyagi as Yosuhiko Ono^[2]
• Naoko Otani as Chieko Ono^[2]
• Jun Murakami as Yoichi Ono^[2]
• Megumi Kagurazaka as Izumi Ono^[2]
• Denden as Ken Suzuki^[2]

Accolades

List of awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
2012	Chicago International Film Festival	Best International Feature (Gold Hugo)	Sion Sono	Nominated	[3]
	Toronto International Film Festival	NETPAC Prize	Sion Sono	Won	[3]
	Dubai International Film Festival	Muhr AsiaAfrica Awards	Sion Sono	Nominated	[3]
2013	CPH PIX	Politiken Audience Award	Sion Sono	Nominated	[3]
	Mainichi Film Concours	Best Actor	Isao Natsuyagi	Won	[3]