Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog

About the Film

The documentary-like story of a yellow Labrador Retriever guide dog for the blind named Quill. We follow Quill from the litter, his selection to become a guide, his life with a foster family until his first birthday, followed by highly specialized schooling in guiding the sightless. He is then paired with a blind man named Watanabe Mitsuru who is at first reluctant to rely on Quill. But Quill’s great patience, gentleness and skill eventually wins him over and they become inseparable friends.

Reactions

A warm-hearted, visually charming, and ultimately thought-provoking tribute to the ways, little and large, that these creatures improve our lives. —Georgia Straight

One of the smartest, most realistic dog films ever made. —Exclaim

Audiences are unlikely to resist Quill in this simply rendered and indisputably sweet film. —EYE Magazine

Awards

• Winner! Kinema Junpo Awards 2005 - Best Director, Yôichi Sai
• Hong Kong Film Awards 2005 Nominee - Best Asian Film, Japan
• Winner! Hochi Film Awards 2004 - Best Director, Yôichi Sai

Cast & Crew

Cast

Mitsuru Wantanabe: Kaoru Kobayashi
Satoru Tawada: Kippei Shiina
Isamu Nii: Teruyuki Kagawa
Mitsuko Nii: Shinobu Terajimi

Crew

Director: Yôichi Sai
Writers: Ryohei Akimoto, Kengo Ishiguro, Shoichi Maruyama
Editor: Isao Kawase
Cinematographer: Junichi Fujisawa
Make-up: Etsuko Egawa
Production Design: Riki Imamura
Music: Kuricorder Quartet

Technical Info

Production Year: 2004
Countries of Production: Japan
Languages: Japanese
Running Time: 1h 40m
Screen Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: Dolby Digital
Color: Color
Rating: Unrated

Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog - Press Page

Awards

• Winner! Kinema Junpo Awards 2005 - Best Director, Yôichi Sai
• Hong Kong Film Awards 2005 Nominee - Best Asian Film, Japan
• Winner! Hochi Film Awards 2004 - Best Director, Yôichi Sai

Reactions

A warm-hearted, visually charming, and ultimately thought-provoking tribute to the ways, little and large, that these creatures improve our lives. —Georgia Straight

One of the smartest, most realistic dog films ever made. —Exclaim

Audiences are unlikely to resist Quill in this simply rendered and indisputably sweet film. —EYE Magazine

Detailed Film Info

Based on a true story, Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog is the sweet tale of a yellow Labrador Retriever guide dog for the blind named Quill. We follow Quill from the litter to his selection as a guide dog shortly after his first birthday. After training at a school for guide dogs, Quill is paired with a blind man named Watanabe who at first is reluctant to rely on him. But Quill’s great patience, gentleness and skill eventually win him over and they become inseparable friends.

Trailer

Photos