FAR WESTERN

By James PAYNE

MONODUO FILMS - as SALES All rights, World

Documentary - Completed 2016

Far Western tells the phenomenal story of the transplant of American country music to post-World War II Japan. Now 70 years later, Japanese musicians have made their own pilgrimages back to America, to the birthplace of the music, playing in honky-tonks and festivals in America.

Festivals
& Awards

IDFA 2016
Full Frame 2017
    • Year of production
    • 2016
    • Genres
    • Documentary, Art - Culture
    • Countries
    • USA
    • Languages
    • ENGLISH, JAPANESE
    • Duration
    • 82 mn
    • Director(s)
    • James PAYNE
    • Producer(s)
    • James PAYNE, Matt LEACH
    • Synopsis
    • Far Western is a feature documentary film that tells the phenomenal story of the transplant of American country music to post-World War II Japan. Nearly 70 years later, for a devoted group the music has become a lifelong obsession. Part music history and part character portrait, Far Western is told through the lives of musicians, fans, and live-music venue owners. Set both in modern Japan and the American South, the film explores the uncanny ability of a simple form of music to cross geographic and language barriers, forming a strange cultural bridge between the two countries. Now, these Japanese musicians have made their own pilgrimages back to America, to the birthplace of the music, playing in honky-tonks and festivals in America.