A port in southern Japan, in 1980. Inspired by a news item, the film describes how a hero violates all the taboos of his community by his loving relationship with the mountain goddess. During the Fire Festival season, an annual ceremony reserved for men, he celebrates, in an immoderate fashion, his union with nature.

Had this film been chosen for competition at Cannes 1985, many feel it would have fared well in what was an average year for Cannes. As it turned out, it was the major discovery in any of the sections, thus confirming the extraordinary young talent that is coming out of Japan at present and taking Festival audiences by storm. A must.”

- Don Ranvaud