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Boy's Choir
Director: Akira Ogata
Number of Items: 1
Format: Color, Widescreen
Audience Rating: Unrated
Running Time: 130 minutes
Studio: PICTURE THIS HOME VIDEO
Product Group: DVD
Release Date: 2003-06-17

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From Description
Michio, 15, is sent to a remote Catholic boys orphanage soon after the tragic death of his father. Awkward and unable to speak without stuttering, Michio finds it nearly impossible to get along in his new environment. Yasuo, star soprano in the school choir befriends Michio and agrees to help him escape, but later convinces him to come back and join the choir. While rehearsing with the choir at a neighboring girls school, Yasuo becomes jealous of Michio’s sudden fascination with the opposite sex. To vent his frustrations, Yasuo spends the summer marching in anti-war demonstrations in Tokyo. When Yasuo returns to school in the fall, he is horrified to discover that his angelic voice has changed. The second gem in the Tales from the Orphanage collection. "A richly embroidered coming-of-ager. An impressive first pic." – Derek Elley, Variety





"rare gem"
I watched this film without expecting anything. To be honest, I first thought it would be a cheesy drama kind of movie since it was listed on gay & lesbian selection (why?)... Turned out I was completely wrong. The story is sophisticated, very emotional, excellent music and brings some reminiscence of early 70s. I had tears in my eyes when the film was over.
The songs they sing in the film got stuck on my head for a very long time and I watched this film over and over. Good thing it was in DVD if it was in VHS the tape would wear out.




"Boy's Choir"
This is a foreign film with many awards, outstanding drama
and you would not believe the descipline in this movie
enjoy it is a film you can watch over and over




"badly categorized as a gay/lesbian title"
Here is an example of a very badly categorized movie. I first saw it in the gay/lesbian category. What an inaccurate choice! There is very, very little gay about this movie. Maybe the one character (Yasuo) is gay, but that is a very small and mostly irrelevant part of this fine movie about friendship and change. Also, the box for this DVD is awful! From the cover, you'd think this is a campy comedy. It's not. This is a very serious movie, with very little humor.

The movie is the story of friendship between two orphans at a Catholic school in northern Japan. They are growing up in a changing world. The music and cinematography are hypnotic. Parts of the movie are a little difficult to understand, but overall a good movie. It's not for everyone, and you may feel put off if you purchase/rent this title based on the category gay/lesbian or from the DVD box.







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