Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles

Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles simplified Chinese traditional Chinese , Japanese , is a 2005 drama film directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Ken Takakura. It premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival onOctober 2005 and was released in China onDecember 2005.

Gouichi Takata played by Ken Takakura is an aged Japanese father who has not been in good terms with his son Kenichi Kiichi Nakai ever since his wife died many years ago. When he learns that his son has been hospitalised, Gouichi travels to Tokyo but Kenichi, still angry that his father left him for a remote fishing town in Japans northern Akita province to escape the reality of his mothers death, refuses to see Gouichi. Kenichis wife Rie Shinobu Terajima then gives her fatherinlaw a video tape made by Kenichi so that Gouichi may learn more about his son. The tape contains a footage of Li Jiamin, a Nuo opera artiste from a village in Yunnan province of China. In the recording, Li promised Kenichi to perform Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles for him if he returns the next year. Gouichi then decides to go to China in his sick sons place to film Lis performance.Gouichi arrives in Li Village , near the city of Lijiang, only to learn that Li has been imprisoned for assaulting someone who insulted his illegitimate son. His translator Jiang Wen known as Jasmine in the translated script and the local guide Qiu Lin known as Lingo in the translated script suggest that he films someone else, but Gouichi insists on Li. After much trouble attaining clearances from the authorities, Gouichi gains entry to the prison facility. However, Li breaks down in tears on stage and is unable to perform as he misses his son badly. Gouichi decides to travel to Stone Village to fetch Lis eightyearold son, Yang Yang Yang Zhenbo. While in the village, Gouichi receives a call from Rie, who tells him that Kenichi has been touched by his efforts in China and requests he comes home. Gouchi wonders if the message ultimately comes from Rie or Kenichi he continues with his plan to unite Li and Yang Yang. ........

Source: Wikipedia