"The Night Time Picnic" by Riku Onda

The Night Time Picnic

Shimizu-san, sorry for being out of commission for so long! I hope I can submit a new review to you soon...I saw you reviewed The Night Time Picnic soundtrack and could not help but comment. I loved Riku Onda's book so much that my copy is now dog-eared and frayed. TNTP is full of spot-on observations of life, it makes you want to scrawl them down onto strips of fine washi paper and fold them into fortune cookies to bring enlightenment to others. The movie was just as moving as the book and the music really set the scene. Monkey Majik's Futari really sums up the heartrendering sorrow of teenage farewells, when everything feels so intense and final. A great pick as usual! Happy New Years!

Thank you for you comment, Chizuru-san. I also could not help writing The Night Time Picnic because Riku Onda's original book is my favorite one, too. Unfortunately it hasn't been translated into English. Thus, I gave up writing the book; but I would like to do about the movie and its soundtracks with hoping that Riku Onnda's book will be translated into English in the near future. Sorry about overlapping considerably with my earlier blog in advance.

Firstly I introduce you the author from IMDb: Riku Onda (born in 1964) is one of the most up-and-coming authors in Japan, who has written 37 novels raging from science fiction to mystery. She experiments various styles of writing, but she almost always provides readers with plural point of views. In case of Yoru-no-picnic, the point of view changes between Toru and Takako frequently.

Secondly I put again the great review from IMDb about the movie, directed by Masahiko Nagasaki: The film follows the students at a Japanese high school as they participate in a yearly ritual--a grueling marathon walk lasting a full day and night. Most of the story is revealed as the students plod on through the beautiful Japanese countryside, interspersed with brief flashbacks and some dream and animation sequences. 

The film focuses on the relationship between a boy and a girl who are strongly attracted to each other, but for some reason (at first seeming to be extreme shyness), the two maintain a somber and glowering distance. Their friends sense the palpable chemistry between the two and try to break down the barrier that separates them. But gradually, the film intimates and then finally reveals a surprising secret . . .

The one scene from TNTP

Gently and subtly, the film illuminates its young characters. There is the usual high-school mix, a few whiners, a few clowns, a femme fatale, a rocker misfit, and so on. But by and large, these are really good kids who care about each other.

The trek itself is a journey from the schoolyard to an uncertain tomorrow. The friends and relationships secured along the way are what make it become so special. You will smile a lot, but bring Kleenex.

I could not add more comment. It is perfect. You can chase the story of The Night Time Picnic from the YouTube video.