To the Ends of the Earth 2020

Yoko, portrayed by the talented Atsuko Maeda, is an ambitious reporter working for a television travel show, embarking on a journey to Uzbekistan with her production team to create an exciting episode. With aspirations of becoming a singer, she presents a contrasting image of her vibrant on-screen personality and her deeper internal struggles when the cameras stop rolling.

The film unfolds through a collection of vivid episodes, showcasing Yoko as she steps into a serene lake, hoping to uncover the secrets of a potentially legendary Uzbeki fish. She enthusiastically raves about the delightful crunch of slightly under-cooked rice in a local dish called plov, and amusingly endures dizzying spins on a fun-park pendulum ride just to capture the perfect reaction for her viewers. One of her earnest attempts leads her to try to free a confined goat named Okoo, only to discover the harsh reality that the goat would face danger from wild dogs if liberated.

As Yoko and her crew explore iconic locations like Samarkand and Tashkent, a magical moment arises at the Navoi Theatre, where she performs an enchanting rendition of Édith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’amour” (with Japanese lyrics) in a fantasy sequence set against the backdrop of the theatre built by Japanese POWs post-war. During their venture at a bustling bazaar, Yoko’s curiosity leads her into a restricted area with a handheld camera, igniting a chaotic chase by the police. Thankfully, they treat her with kindness upon her capture, especially as she grapples with distressing news about her boyfriend, a firefighter who might have been caught in a catastrophic oil refinery blaze in Tokyo Bay. Despite his absence in the film, audiences learn about him through heartfelt text exchanges with Yoko.

In an emotionally charged finale set in the majestic mountains, Yoko and her crew chase the elusive creature once more. It is here that she once again sings “Hymne à l’amour”, allowing herself to dream of glimpsing Okoo running freely in the distance, symbolizing her hopes and longings as she navigates through her adventures.