Kanto is an Ainu teenager living in a small tourist town of Japan’s northern Island, Hokkaido. Still struggling with his father's death one year prior, he's eager to leave behind the rural and isolated town he grew up in. When the village elder Debo tries to educate Kanto in Ainu traditions, two ways of living collide.

The Ainu are an ethnic group indigenous to northern Japan. Through the film the viewer gets to experience several Ainu traditions such as dances, music, rituals and feasts. It also shows different generations struggling with their identity and doesn't shy away from social commentary. My favorite being the moment a tourist compliments Kanto's mother, a fellow Japanese, on her Japanese skills. The irony of that hits pretty hard.

Nature plays a huge part in the life of the Ainu, so it felt only natural that it was a big part of the movie as well.
It offers an abundance of gorgeous shots of deep, green forests, beautiful seashores and the rural town. The changing seasons as well as the long and calming shots give the movie an incredibly relaxing atmosphere.
This felt like taking a relaxing walk through a beautiful landscape.

With its documentary style, 'Ainu Mosir' quietly observes younger and older Ainu generations trying to find their place in our modern times. Never judging but simply exploring their day-to-day life. Paired with the convincing performances of the non-professional Ainu actors, this makes for a compelling, grounded and authentic watch.