Recommendations of Young Programmers  

The work in the cotton factory in Japan requires strict discipline. Women get up early and head to the factory line. However, the strict regime doesn’t stop them from seeking something much bigger. Volleyball that started as a free-time activity brings fame for women with supernatural powers. They are sent to compete in European championships. Moreover, women’s volleyball is introduced as a national sport immediately after judo in the legendary post-war Olympic Games in Tokyo. Even anime is being created about the brutal training and volleyball matches. The captivating film interweaves archival footage, animation, sports and politics. At the sushi-covered table, the players tell their most precious memories of the victories and this incredible story of how the workers of one Japanese factory gained fame for the country through their stubbornness, perseverance and hard work.

Awards

North Bend Film Festival – Best Director, 2021
North Bend Film Festival – Best Editing, 2021

Julien Faraut

Having worked with the French Sports Institute (INSEP) for 15 years, Julien has had access to a large and mostly unseen collection of 16mm archival footage, aiming to bridge the connections between sport, cinema and art. With a fascination for the incredible achievements of highly skilled athletes, Julien’s portfolio of work explores these unique and astonishing human beings through the medium of film.

Selected Filmography

In the Realm of Perfection, 2018
A Fresh Look at Olympia, 2013