Japanese Story

Sandy Edwards, played by Toni Collette, is a director at a geological software company in Perth. Her business partner persuades her to serve as a guide for Hiromitsu Tachibana, a Japanese businessman, who is visiting the mines in the Pilbara desert.

Upon Hiromitsu's arrival in Perth, he seems more interested in his own journey than the software Sandy is supposed to be guiding him to explore. He treats Sandy more like a chauffeur than a guide, which frustrates her from the start.

During their first venture into the desert, Sandy is irritated by Hiromitsu's aloofness and constant phone usage. He pushes her to drive further off-course, leading them into a precarious situation.

Their vehicle becomes stuck in the unforgiving sand after Hiromitsu insists on driving off the path. Despite their best efforts to free themselves, including attempts to dig a dead man anchor, they find themselves unable to escape.

With no signal or means to call for help, Sandy and Hiromitsu are forced to spend the night stranded together in the wilderness. This unexpected situation brings an air of tension, as they are left alone with their thoughts and frustrations.

At dawn, Hiromitsu realizes the gravity of their situation and devises a solution using sticks to create a track. This successful maneuver to free the vehicle marks the beginning of a shift in their relationship from tension to budding friendship.

After successfully navigating their way out of the sand, their camaraderie deepens, leading to a passionate encounter at a motel. This newfound intimacy allows Sandy to temporarily forget about their complicated circumstances.

Their joy is short-lived when Sandy discovers that Hiromitsu has a wife and children back in Japan. This revelation creates an emotional turmoil for Sandy, complicating her feelings about their connection.

Despite the revelation about Hiromitsu’s family, they continue to share intimate moments, including another passionate night together. However, the joy of their connection is cut short by impending tragedy.

Sandy and Hiromitsu's journey takes a tragic turn when Sandy decides to take a swim in a nearby swimming hole. Hiromitsu dives in after her without realizing the water's depth, leading to his accidental drowning.

In disbelief after Hiromitsu's sudden death, Sandy frantically pulls his body from the water and drives for hours towards the nearest town. A storm of panic and grief overwhelms her as she grapples with the reality of the moment.

Once back in Perth, Sandy faces the haunting reality of Hiromitsu’s death. The contrast between the vibrant memories of their time together and the stark present fills her with overwhelming sorrow.

Sandy's life takes another unexpected turn when she meets Hiromitsu’s grieving widow, Yukiko. This encounter forces her to confront the complexities of Hiromitsu's life and the significance of the connection they shared.