Dryads in a Snow Valley (2015): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2015, Dryads in a Snow Valley is a drama and documentary film directed by Shigeru Kobayashi, running about 100 minutes.

What it’s about. Ten years ago, the Kogures moved from Tokyo to a satoyama area (an area where traditional sustainable agriculture has been long practiced) in a snowy mountain village in Echigo-Tsumari where they repaired an old thatched farmhouse and began growing organic, pesticide-free rice. Their life may appear unrestrained and free of worldly cares but they cannot make it alone. All the work is done together with their cheerful neighbors. Then, in the spring of 2011, an earthquake strikes on the border of Nagano and Niigata prefectures. The Kogures’ house is destroyed, but they decide to rebuild. An adventure told in a fantastical tone that expresses the joy of living with a sometimes harsh natural world.

Who’s in it. Dryads in a Snow Valley stars Matsumoto Hidetoshi as Self, Fumiko Matsumoto as Self, Imai Akio as Self and Ogawa Kumiko as Self, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, Dryads in a Snow Valley has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Dryads in a Snow Valley page.

If you liked it. Fans of Dryads in a Snow Valley tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.