A Far Valley

Charts the course of four years that anthropologist Brian Moeran and his family spent in a remote valley in southern Japan. Part private journal, part social and moral commentary, his account portrays everyday life in the Oni Valley, together with the complicated sets of relationships that emerged. Personal tragedy intrudes when Moeran's eldest son breaks his neck in a diving accident at the local primary school. Who is to blame? In trying to deal with this situation, he becomes entangled in a series of half-truths and deceits as those involved try to avoid responsibility. Gradually, he comes to realize that he will forever remain an outsider in this valley, and with real regret is forced to leave.