Survival Family (2017) [Film Review]

Survival Family; or, Apocalypse Vacation

     The things humans need for survival. The first is to maintain body temperature. The second is shelter. Third is water. The food is behind these things.

We live through our daily existence without really taking into consideration small, yet grand facilitations of our civilisation. Power outages and water shortages may occur from time to time, but usually such incidents don’t last long and are limited to a small area. However, what would happen if the world’s electricity suddenly went off and never came back? Let’s find out by dusting off our bicycles and embarking on an adventure with the Survival Family.

Release Info

Directed by: Shinobu Yaguchi Starring: Fumiyo Kohinata, Eri Fukatsu, Yumi Izumisawa, Wakana Aoi

Language: Japanese Original Title: サバイバルファミリー Runtime: 117 min

 

Plot

Meet the Suzuki family. There’s nothing out of the ordinary about them. Head of the family, Yoshiyuki (Fumiyo Kohinata), is an average salaryman in a corporate company. His wife Mitsue (Eri Fukatsu) is taking care of home and does everyday household chores. Their children, Kenji (Yuki Izumisawa) and Yui (Wakana Aoi), and typical modern teenagers, glued to their phones and computers. All of a sudden, a power outage sweeps across Tokyo. Everyone thinks that it’s only a temporary inconvenience, but the power does not come back. As days go by, Tokyo becomes a dangerous place to live in, due to shortening food and water supplies. The Suzuki family eventually decides to travel to Kagoshima where Mitsue’s father lives, hoping to be able to survive in the countryside. The family sets out on a journey across Japan that will change their lives.

 

Survivor: Japanese Edition

Survival Family is the latest movie from Shinobu Yaguchi, the creator of such Japanese classics as Waterboys (2001) and Swing Girls (2003). The progression of heroes appears to be the prevalent theme in his movies, and Survival Family is no exception from it. An ordinary Japanese family is taken out of the metropolitan safe zone and put to the trials and tribulations in true Bear Grylls’ style.

 

The already mentioned what if scenario with power outage is the driving vehicle of the story. What caused the outage on a global scale? How come the power cannot be restored? These questions are irrelevant as the movie is not a horror-thriller like The Road (2009) or The Happening (2008), but rather a comedy drama. Thus, instead of people becoming cannibals, we get Fumiyo Kohinata and Eri Fukatsu on the road to nowhere. The movie tries to stay objective in its examination of a possible apocalypse, but at the same time sways into Kikujiro’s optimistic feel as the Suzukis encounter a variety of positive characters along their way.

 

In view of this, Survival Family attempts to get across the message that modern conveniences are just distractions when not used properly. The fault is at the parents, not their reliance on technology. This is especially visible in the scene where the Suzukis meet a different family (parents played by Saburo Tokito and Norika Fujiwara ;) ) who treat the whole situation as an opportunity for healthy vacation. Nevertheless, the survival skills are also important and the family acquires those during their stay on Mr Tanaka’s farm (Yasuo Daichi). It is only when they reach Mitsuo’s father (Akira Emoto) that the family finally learns how to live together and love each other.

 

With regard to performances, Fumiyo Kohinata and Eri Fukatsu definitely carry the weight of the picture. Knowing the actors from their previous works, they convincingly played a father and a mother who undergo an emotional change along their way. Also, the children did well in their roles. The movie is also filled with many small parts done by well-known actors (apart from those already enumerated, Eri Watanabe and Shin Takuma deserve a mention). In addition, the locations used in the film feel very much like a separate character. The filmmakers did a great job with finding picturesque places to shoot at.

 

Recommendations

I recommend Survival Family to every family who seeks to spend an enjoyable afternoon. This film is a definitive highlight among other Japanese releases of 2017 and one of my personal favourite movies by Shinobu Yaguchi. I liked it so much that now I want to go back and rewatch Yaguchi’s older works. Maybe it’s time for Yaguchi month on the blog? I’ll see. In the meantime, I have to check on my bicycle in case of any unexpected power outage.

Overall score: 9/10