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To the Ends of the Earth 2020

Box Office

$286K

Budget

$300K

Runtime

120 min

Language

Japanese

Japanese

While filming a travel show in Uzbekistan, the energetic host Yoko finds her outward optimism challenged as she journeys through Tashkent. Faced with the struggles of the production and her own inner turmoil, she decides to embark on a solitary exploration of the city's complex streets. This personal quest forces her to confront buried emotions and ultimately seek a deeper understanding of herself.

While filming a travel show in Uzbekistan, the energetic host Yoko finds her outward optimism challenged as she journeys through Tashkent. Faced with the struggles of the production and her own inner turmoil, she decides to embark on a solitary exploration of the city's complex streets. This personal quest forces her to confront buried emotions and ultimately seek a deeper understanding of herself.

Does To the Ends of the Earth have end credit scenes?

No!

To the Ends of the Earth does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of To the Ends of the Earth

Explore the complete cast of To the Ends of the Earth, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for To the Ends of the Earth

See how To the Ends of the Earth is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where To the Ends of the Earth stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

78

In To the Ends of the Earth, the film excels in cultivating a reflective mood through its deliberate pacing and atmospheric direction, though its narrative coherence occasionally falters. Critics valued the restrained yet evocative performance at its center, and the immersive production design that underscores themes of isolation. However, some viewers found shifts in tone and plot progression uneven, and others criticized its sanitized depiction of geopolitical contexts. Overall, the film offers a poignant but variable experience.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for To the Ends of the Earth

85
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the film presents striking visual composition and meticulous production design while embracing a subtle color palette. The measured cinematography emphasizes spatial dislocation, and atmospheric framing reinforces thematic isolation. Editing choices are deliberate but occasionally elongate contemplative moments to the point of languor. Ultimately, the film’s refined aesthetic remains its most consistent creative achievement.

75
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When it comes to character and emotion, Atsuko Maeda delivers a nuanced central performance that anchors the narrative with quiet intensity. Supporting figures remain largely peripheral, and the protagonist’s internal motivations are sometimes underexplored. Emotional moments are thoughtfully rendered but sporadically diffuse. Overall, the film offers a resonant yet occasionally inaccessible emotional core.

60
Echo Score

Story & Flow

In terms of story and flow, the film embraces a reflective pace that underscores cultural displacement but evokes moments of narrative inertia. Plot progression alternates between contemplative sequences and abrupt tonal shifts, leading to uneven engagement. Some viewers found the storyline diffuse and underdeveloped, particularly in its geopolitical framing. Overall, the narrative offers depth interspersed with disjunction.

85
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

When it comes to sensory experience, the film excels in crafting an immersive atmosphere through its subtle sound design and restrained score. Visual style features understated color tones and deliberate framing that evoke cultural dislocation. Occasional quiet passages can lessen tension for some viewers. Ultimately, the cohesive audio-visual presentation strengthens the film’s reflective mood.

65
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers modest incentive for additional viewings through its layered thematic content and atmospheric richness. However, the deliberate pacing and intermittent narrative disjunction may deter some viewers on repeat watches. While emotional nuances and visual detail reward attention, the film’s uneven rhythm limits its overall replay appeal.

Metacritic

85

Metascore

6.5

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

93%

TOMATOMETER

review

53%

User Score

IMDb

6.9 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

63

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.6

From 30 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate To the Ends of the Earth Movie Quiz

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To the Ends of the Earth Quiz: Test your knowledge about the film 'To the Ends of the Earth'.

What is Yoko's profession?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for To the Ends of the Earth

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Read the complete plot summary of To the Ends of the Earth, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


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.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

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Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for To the Ends of the Earth

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from To the Ends of the Earth. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH Trailer | TIFF 2019

TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH Director Q&A | TIFF 2019

To the Ends of the Earth Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


environmental

To the Ends of the Earth Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for To the Ends of the Earth across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


Tabi no Owari Sekai no Hajimari O Fim da Viagem O Começo de Tudo 在世界盡頭開始旅行 たびのおわりせかいのはじまり 지구의 끝까지 O Fim da Viagem o Começo de Tudo Au bout du monde 旅途的结束,世界的开始 To The Ends of the Earth Конец путешествия начало мира 旅程之終、世界之始

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