Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter Photos

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Cast

Rinko Kikuchi
as Kumiko

Nobuyuki Katsube
as Sakagami

Shirley Venard
as Older

David Zellner
as Policeman

Nathan Zellner
as Robert

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Critic Reviews for Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter

Audience Reviews for Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter

• Dec 08, 2017

  Got to admit, not a movie I was seeking out, despite my love of all things Japanese, but I'm glad I saw it. I related to poor Kumiko more than I care to admit to.
  Nicki M Super Reviewer
• Feb 07, 2016

  Imagine Werner Herzog directing a Coen brothers' screenplay with David Lynch on editing and sound design. This movie is kinda like that. A Japanese office lady stumbles on a VHS copy of Fargo, and thinks that there is an actual briefcase of cash buried in the snow, so much so that she goes on a journey to Minnesota to find it. Hilarious premise with great execution, and it is hard not to relate to her constant frustration with how her peers, society, and strangers expect her to conduct her life. Of note here is her taking literally the introductory frame of Fargo that states "This is a True Story". The ambiguity in her ability to delineate dramatized history from true reality is indicative of the modern movie experience (and Kumiko's mental illness). There have been so many movies this year (and many on this list) that purport themselves to be based on true events. Let's be honest here, any film that has humans in a mundane setting under non-fantastical circumstances is "inspired/based on true events". I thought the fun part about movies is that they are an escape from our unremarkable, linear experience and perspective. But if a piece of fiction is just too out there to suspend one's disbelief, I suppose it is best to put up a disclaimer that lets people know it is "kind of real".
  

  K Nife C Super Reviewer
• Jun 14, 2015

  A somewhat bizarre black comedy about a Japanese woman looking for lost treasure she sees from the movie Fargo. Visually stunning at times with a great soundtrack. If you enjoyed films like Fargo then you'll love this.
  

  Ian W Super Reviewer
• May 06, 2015

  That the details of the true story behind this movie are far more fascinating than what is presented here highlights my lack of passion for this production. Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter concerns an obsessive quest. Generally I enjoy these tales about social outcasts that don't quite fit in with society. These quixotic individuals have such a romantic quality that can be very appealing. Kumiko is outfitted in scarlet sweatshirt with a large hood like a contemporary Red Riding Hood. That visual further pushes the fairy tale notion of this modern fable. Indeed the proceedings have a surreality that infuses her life as if it were a dream. But Kumiko is such an enigma that it's difficult to embrace the character. We don't know this woman. She rarely speaks, only occasionally mustering out a random word in her broken English. The locals along the border of North Dakota and Minnesota just want to help her but she is so painfully shy that it's hard to summon any interest in her mission. Kumiko is a curiosity to be sure but not someone I embraced. Her only friend is a pet rabbit named Bunzo. I think it's telling that her animal side-kick is the emotional heart of the saga. I'm #TeamBunzo all the way. #TeamKumiko not so much. fastfilmreviews.com
  Mark H Super Reviewer

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