In a small village in Japan, the lives of the inhabitants are marked by routine and the struggle for survival. The story follows a group of workers who, despite the harsh conditions they live in, find comfort among each other. However, the focus on everyday life is interrupted by a tragic event: the mysterious and sudden death of a young man from the village. This occurrence impacts the community, exacerbating tensions and revealing hidden secrets.
Meanwhile, a group of curious children begins to explore the nearby forest, discovering not only the beauty of nature but also its fragility. This duality between the grand and the ephemeral reinforces the idea that all living beings are interconnected. The poetic scenes of rural life contrast with the lamentable reality of death, creating an atmosphere of melancholy and reflection.
As the characters deal with pain and loss, they find ways to reconnect with the world around them. Nature becomes a symbol of hope, reminding them that, although life is fleeting, memory and love endure. This visual masterpiece is not only a portrait of rural life in Japan during that era but also a precursor to the existential concerns that will characterize Japanese cinema in the following decades, inviting the viewer to reflect on their own existence and the essence of what it means to be alive.