Dozens of Norths

"Dozens of Norths" (幾多の北), is a 2021 Japanese-French animated film directed by Koji Yamamura. The film explores themes of solitude, unreliable memory, and self-doubt through a dreamlike and fragmented narrative. Inspired by Yamamura's illustrations and short texts in the magazine "Bungaku-Kai," each illustration is envisioned as a scene from a larger story. The film portrays a writer's journey through the North, encountering various people while struggling with fragmented memories. Two miniature figures hijack a quill from an overworked writer, using it as a relic on their expedition to dozens of northern places. They brave harsh conditions and encounter diverse individuals. The film employs hand-drawn 2D animation over 64 minutes, incorporating experimental and psychological elements. It features music by Willem Breuker. The film premiered at several international animation festivals, including the New Chitose Airport International Animation Festival and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.