As national boundaries have broken down and cultural exchanges have been more active, the number of people who leave for a strange foreign country is growing. Of course, all of them have their own goals. There is a traveler who goes abroad to travel, a student to learn a foreign language or culture, a businessman to do his work, and an emigrant or illegal stayer to make money. This Movie 'Yen Town', by director Shunji Iwai, is the story of the latter who stays in Japan to make money.
'Yen Town' - 'Once upon a time the 'Yen' was the  strongest currency in the world, the city was overwhelmed by those who emigrate into it : It was like a 'Gold Rush'. The city where people gathered together for 'Yen' was called 'Yen Town' However, Japanese did not like this word, so they called conversely the emigrants or illegal stayers who called their city that way; 'Yen Town'
The characters that appear in this movie use different languages according to the circumstance that they have grown up.
A girl becomes an orphan after her mother's death. After all, she meets a prostitute, Grikko who emigrated form China. The girl is interested in the butterfly tattoo that is on Grikko's chest as a symbol to identify herself in this Yen town. So, Grikko draws larva on the girl's chest and give the name, Ageha (meaning butterfly) to her. And then, they get a recording tape that contains 'My Way', music song by chance. They find that this tape is not a common tape, but a magnetic tape they can make 10 thousand yen. Ageha, Grikko, Peihong, an illegal stayer from China and Larn, an emigrant, make much money from this tape. They carry on business with this money, but it is possible to do something as their identity in Yen town. Eventually, they open a 'Live House' in other Japanese name and begin to have concerts. Grikko becomes a famous singer and Heihong is caught for being an illegal stayer by Japanese policeman, but he gets released from jail because he doesn't have a plane fare for his hometown, China. In the end, he is put in jail under the name of manufacturing an illegal bill and leaves the world in jail. Ageha, who watches and experiences everything, burns all the money they made and this film draws to an end.
Those who leave their country and get together in Yen town for making money - They are an emigrant and illegal stayer. In Yen town, their life is a succession of uneasiness, their rights are ignored and their existence is also not clear. However, their challenge begins with only a word. 'Hope' in this uncertain future life. To go back to their hometown with making a fortune is their  hope and happiness to these who left their hometown to make money.

By Song Kwang-ho
Editor in Chief