Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on April 2011

In the past few years many Japanese filmmakers have traveled overseas and set their films in foreign countries, mostly with disappointing results. In this context, director Kazuya Ogawa’s Pink Subaru is more than refreshing—it’s a revelation. Set in the West Bank and Israel, and mostly in Arabic and Hebrew, Pink Subaru tells the story of Elzobar (Akram Telawe), an unassuming Palestinian who works at a Japanese restaurant and dreams of buying a car. With his sister’s wedding approaching, he buys himself a Subaru Legacy to prepare for the happy day. No sooner has the widower basked in the joy of owning a car, when it gets stolen. Crushed, Elzobar must find the vehicle or the wedding is off. Though the story is simple, the characters—Arab, Israeli and Japanese—are portrayed with a sensitivity, complexity and tenderness that draws the viewer in immediately. Ogawa purposefully eschewed politics and to concentrate on people’s every day lives and relationships. With fine attention to detail, incisive observation and a strong affection for the characters—as well as a touch of surrealism—this may be the Japanese film of the year… in Arabic. 98 min