Warabinokou - To the Bracken Fields (2003)

Warabinokou - To the Bracken Fields 2003 / 蕨野行 2003 / わらびのこう , Warabi no kou

A poor village in the Tohoku area. The village has a law that states when a resident becomes sixty years old, they must move to the place called Warabino, far away from home. This spring, eight elderly residents leave for Warabino. Ren, the mother of the village head, is one of them. Initially, they obey the law, but soon after begin to catch birds and animals to survive, though it is strictly forbidden to do so. Furthermore, one old woman tries to preserve some food for her children while the village is in need of a greater supply. Gradually, the seniors succumb to the cold, and collapse one by one. In the end, the remaining two old women face their deaths. Upon being released from the burden of their aging bodies, they become happy and say, ‟Now I feel light.‟ They start a snowball fight, with their deceased acquaintances joining in the fun. (Source: JFDB) Adapted from a novel with the same title, by Murata Kiyoko (村田喜代子).