I'm not new at all....I've been a lurker for a long time.
歩く、人 Man Walking on Snow
Director: Masahito Kobayashi
This is a rare gem I found out of nowhere. This is your typical Japanese film, it's really, really slow. With long scenes of a man walking for the first 20 minutes. It tugs at your patience to see how far you can handle. But, after the first grueling 20 minutes, the story sets in, and you will become engaged in the small-town Life of an old man and his 2 sons. The story focuses on the tension between the younger son and the older son, one who is defined by his rural enviornment, and the other who is trying to break free and do his own thing in the world. I don't know who these actors are, but they were wonderful. The contrast is extremely well done, the actors all have great chemistry together. And there's some odd Japanese humor thrown in as well. I especially loved the ending, the final scene has a remarkable impact that emphasizes on finality and surrender. A really great film.