Hoshi ni natta shônen
Tetsumu, an introverted youth, realizes he has a natural ability of communicating with elephants. This prompts him to leave for Chiang Mai in Thailand to become Japan’s first elephant trainer. Having found his place in the world, Tetsumu develops into a strong, confident young man. He returns to Japan with the dream of building a green “paradise” for his ivory-tusked friends. Meanwhile, he starts a career as an elephant trainer for touring shows. He meets Emi, a woman seven years his senior and falls in love.
Director: Shunsaku Kawake
Actors: Katsumi Takahashi, Kazuyuki Aijima, Mitsuko Baisho, Sayoko Oho, Seishirou Katou, Takako Tokiwa, Takehiko Ono, Tetsuya Takeda, Yu Aoi, Yuya Yagira
Country: Japan
Company: Fuji Television Network, Stardust Pictures (SDP), TOHO, Toho Company
Worldwide Gross: $48,218