Discovering a writer can change a person's life. More than 20 years ago, Mette Holm read her first novel by Japanese author Haruki Murakami, who had yet to grow into one of the biggest names in contemporary literature—and it turned her world upside down. She has since become his official Danish translator, spending thousands of hours transcribing his bizarre and unique universe into her native language. As Holm travels to Japan, she introduces us to the mysteries of her craft, proving that her commitment to the novelist's vision has turned into a way of life. While Murakami himself always remains hidden—a conspicuous absence contributing to the film's delicate magic—the surreal and spellbinding atmosphere of his books slowly pervades reality, so we're not surprised when a giant talking frog appears in this dreamy love letter to the art of translation. Charlotte Selb
Co-presented with Toronto Japanese Film Festival.