Fear and Trembling 2004

As the Belgian woman, Amélie (Sylvie Testud), steps off the plane in Japan, she is met with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Having spent her formative years immersed in the country’s unique culture, she has returned to test her mettle as a “real Japanese” before her one-year contract expires. However, this determination, though noble in its intention, proves to be fundamentally at odds with the very essence of Japanese humility. Her hiring at an esteemed import/export firm as a translator seems like the perfect opportunity to prove herself, but Amélie’s struggles to grasp the intricacies of Japanese business etiquette and cultural norms lead to a series of demotions that erode her confidence.

As she navigates the complex web of office politics, Amélie finds herself increasingly torn between her admiration for her immediate supervisor, Ms. Mori (Kaori Tsuji), and the latter’s apparent delight in belittling her. Mori’s calculated cruelty eventually shatters Amélie’s will, reducing her to the ignominious role of bathroom attendant. When Amélie finally announces her decision not to renew her contract, Mori is ecstatic, having successfully broken Amélie’s spirit.

In a moment of profound revelation, Amélie realizes that she has finally become “real Japanese” when she musters the necessary fear and trembling to enter the company president’s office. This newfound submission is only possible after Mori’s relentless humiliation has worn down her resolve, a poignant reminder that even the most determined among us can be broken by the very system we seek to join.

The title “Fear and Trembling” takes on a new significance in this context, as it is not just a phrase that Japanese must use when addressing their emperor, but also a state of being that Amélie inhabits during her tumultuous year at Yumimoto. It is a sentiment echoed in Philippians 2:12’s exhortation to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” a biblical mandate that Amélie unwittingly fulfills as she navigates the treacherous landscape of Japanese corporate culture.