Firefly Dreams  (2001)

Theatrical Release Information:
Firefly Dreams

With her dyed-orange hair and manufactured tan, Naomi (Maho Ukai) is a normal teenager who loves clubbing with her pals as much as she hates sitting through school or listening to her parents fight. One day, her mother (Chie Miyajima) up and leaves the family to be with her new lover. Her shattered father (Atsushi Ono) sends her off for the summer to work at his sister's country inn. When it quickly becomes apparent that Naomi is not cut out for the service industry, her aunt asks her to tend to her aging neighbor Mrs. Koide (Yoshie Minami), who is slowly succumbing to Alzheimer's. Having fond memories of playing at her house as a child, Naomi quickly agrees. Though Mrs. Koide does not remember her, Naomi enjoys her direct manner and her stories of her youth -- which include starring in the movie Hotaru no Tani. Meanwhile, Naomi is getting more than a little attention from a honey-tongued liquor-store delivery guy (Tsutomu Niwa). This Japanese film was directed by British filmmaker John Williams, who lived in Japan for eight years prior to making this film. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide