Taller Than the Trees

A beautifully conceived and filmed mini-documentary about a crucial issues facing all societies. Small comment: Why was it not felt necessary to credit the translator(s) who rendered the dialogue into English?

Masami - you are in inspiration to us all. Care-giver, father, husband and ad executive, you balance it all with equanimity and grace. I hope I can live my life as nobly as you do. Bravo to the filmmaker Megan Mylan and everyone else involved for taking on this difficult subject matter and handling it with such honesty, professionalism and respect.

Extraordinary! it lifts the human spirit just watching this. what a wonderful human being that man is. imagine if this were "normal" behavior for everyone. thanks for showing this.

Such a gorgeous portrait of love and manhood. I have watched it a few times now and see something new each time.

Beautiful, tender, touching. I wish and hope this important film gets a wide viewing. It is what we need in these times, perhaps more than ever. thank you Megan Mylan

Wonderful piece, also because it shows the situation of many elderly. I don't think people realize that many are in the same physical state as the grand mother and that this state can last for many years. Most of us only see death on TV where it is always fast or kind, with the dying making jokes until their last breath. This is not real life and it is good that the film also does not shy away from this, because the dying are often kept out of view. Great work on many levels.

I'd like to thank Ms. Mylan for putting together this thoughtful piece and the Hayatas for allowing us to get such a personal glimpse of their world. I thought it was great that the NYT put front and center an issue that will affect many even here in America. As an Asian American, brought up in a mix of Asian and American cultures, I struggle to find my own balance -raising a family, advancing my career, and caring for aging parents, one with dementia. It is not uncommon for me to receive advice that in order to stay afloat, I must leave my parents behind. It is clear there will be no solution in the near future and possibly ever regarding the care of aging loved ones. Mr. Hayata demonstrated one graceful way for us to consider this period in our lives.

Glad to see that they are moving into the 21st century.

What a beautiful lesson this father is teaching his son about love and compassion. The scene that brought me to tears was when the boy placed a flower in his grandmother's hand -- lesson learned.

Extremely touching doc. It humanized people of another culture. Mr. Hayata's empathy and affection are an inspiration for everyone.

Exquisite!

Those of us seeking role models need look no further than Hayata-san. In the tender and joyful ways he cares for his mother and son -- even at the risk of losing his job -- Hayata-san shows us that we need not fear vulnerability. Thank you, Ms. Mylan and the NY Times for sharing this beautiful invitation to reimagine what it means to be human.

Mr. Hayata embodies the best that we all can be, a caring, understanding, and thoughtful son, father, and husband. Balancing caregiving and work can be extremely challenging, due to the physical and emotional demands of both. This beautiful film also shows the pleasures of those roles, as well. I am sure that his wife shares in these challenges and joys. I wish the family the best. They are inspiring.

So moving, both the film and Masami Hayata's generosity of spirit made me tearful. I feel so resentful and guilty at own mother's health needs, and the exhausting nature of work/family, feeling split. One imagines a control or choice that isn't really there. He's on a completely different plane that puts me to shame. On another note, if having men assume the traditional roles of women as caretakers pushes political and social change, I can only say thank you. Women are apparently invisible in this role. I also really appreciated his statement to the interviewer that this bosses asked if it was just too much, and he agreed it was, but that not working was not an option. That's right, not working is not an option. So, for working parents, and the care takers of the elderly, let's have some real options.

I have watched this 6 times already. This short film makes me happy and, at the same time, sad. I can feel how Hayata-san was brought up by his loving parents; now his father is gone and his mother is incapacitated. Hayata-san is repeating and applying what he has learned from his parents to his son with same love and patience. There is also a silent and invisible participant in this film, his wife and mother of this young boy. Her love radiates from her son's words and behavior like bringing a tiny flower to his obaachan's hand. I like Hayata-san's grasp or understanding of life, particularly his interpretation of his mother's life now at the end but yet she is working hard to live.

This documentary humbles me. During the last 2 years of my mother's life, I was always by her side when she was hospitalized, sometimes for well over a week. I also spent many months juggling time with my spouse and the rest of my family while also spending most of the day with my mother. I did my best to be loving, to be helpful, to prepare meals and help with bathing.

And yet I was never as patient and attentive as this man with his mother. Even so, my mother was unfailingly patient and forgiving of me. I hope to rise to her example and be the same with my children if they choose to care for me. But I am saving money to spare them that responsibility. I know how demanding, how exhausting it can be.

Taller Than the Trees presents the the best in mankind. Masami "walks the walk" as he gently cares for his Mother while teaching his son by example how to value and accept all phases of life. Thank you Megan Mylan and New York Times

Hmmm... I wonder how our society would be different if we all watched this doc as many times as we've watched the tapes of Trump and Billy Bush tdisgustingly talk about women? Wish Masami would get a spotlight that sadly we only reserve for the rude, absurd, and narcissistic. My world was brightened by this piece... But only by accident

This is a very moving video. I like the way that there is no narration, and subjects and their actions in the movie speak for themselves. I was moved by how matter of fact Masami Hayata was in his radio interview, describing the choices he had to make. He must have remembered the very challenging times, but he has chosen to move forward with his choice without complaint. He sets a good example for people everywhere on what it means to care and love for your family.

Masami Hayata is in the best sense an iconoclast.

Wow- gorgeous piece. I wonder in our land of "family values" and "putting children first" if we are as dedicated to our loved ones. Most American adults cringe at the thought of having to "find time" to visit their seniors in a nursing home or somehow can't tear themselves away from their cell phone to talk to their children (been to a restaurant lately). Most poignant part of the film -the protagonist's son is learning to love and care for those who need you. Yes-- as we complain of life, we can see that even in the midst of exhaustion and stress...life is beautiful.

Really moving, and Mr. Hayata is an absolute hero--gentle, dutiful, incredibly loving, efficient, and so steady through it all. The care he gives both his mother and his son is awe-inspiring. Thanks for making and sharing this video...

" I heard the former United States poet laureate Billy Collins share “The Lanyard,” his poem about the debt we owe our mothers."

When I was young, a saying went, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." But modernity and feminism have replaced it by "The hand that mocks the cradle rules the world."

Our heroines are no longer mothers. They are women with a bow and an arrow or women who can bat a tennis ball at a hundred miles an hour.

I agree with the message that men should be more caring. Indeed men, by being less caring, are not only shirking their duty, they are depriving themselves of the pleasures which babies and children provide.

But an accompanying message often is that women should be less caring. I see no sense in this whatever.

Americans are not a very caring people at the personal level. I have found Greeks or Indians or Hispanics to be far more caring at the personal level. For American women to be less caring would only harm the country.

I agree with other commenters that this gentleman is kind and patient with his mother in a way that is exemplary and would be a challenge for many of us, and likewise is a patient father, that being the far more enjoyable role.

I am curious about the ages of these three. It seems as though the generations could be about 40 years apart, where the grandmother could be about 80 years older than her grandson. This seems like a longer than average span and adds to the burden on those in the middle.

A peripheral element that impressed me was the relative lack of automobiles in their lives. They have pleasant walking areas near where they live and are able to travel mainly by well maintained trains it appears. My personal bias is that this helps make their daily lives less stressful, not having to worry about traffic, driving, maintaining a personal vehicle, the greater isolation of homes and during travel. Perhaps this leaves a bit more energy for these care-taking tasks.

Thank you for a thoughtful and sensitive film. Having lived in Japan, I know how exceptional this must be. Please continue to make more films about this subject as well as others. You are truly talented.

The terribly sad fact missing here is that the relationships that dedicated fathers like Hayata-san forge with their children are not protected by law inside Japan. The number of mothers divorcing their husbands within the first 20 years of marriage continues to surge (currently more than a third in Japan), and because Japan doesn’t offer joint-custody or enforceable visitation, and custody is awarded to mothers in nearly all cases (as indicated by the country's own statistics), the relationships that these loving fathers have with their children are often forcibly severed. It is difficult to characterize forced separation of a loving parent and child as anything but cruel.

Thiss good man will ultimately bring himself and his career down with exhaustion. It will affect his life. I know from personal experience.

This is such a beautiful documentary illustrating love and duty. I admire Hayata-san deeply, just as I admire the scores of strong women in each country who have been doing this challenging work for centuries. Thank you, Hayata-san, for your generosity in sharing your life with us. You have an enormous heart.

Thank you, Ms. Mylan, for your stunning work. I hope we will get to see more of it.

Having this privileged glimpse into Hayata-san's life makes me even more thoughtful about the legions of "salary-men" and "salary-women" that I pass in Tokyo streets and sit next to on its trains...

NYT上看了一个日本高龄化的视频，中国实行计划生育这么些年老龄人越来越多，社会负担也特别大，随着老龄人的增加相应的问题也会增多，比如生活无法自理老龄人的照顾问题，美国有专门针对这个人群的护理师，美剧《hero》里的Peter就是一护理师，而中国除了保姆好像没有这方面的人。

finally, societies worldwide may appreciate the sacrifice women have made from the beginning of time.

As a photographer and writer living here in Tokyo, who is also inspired by Ozu, I have found a lot of beauty and people who have touched me. There is more humanity and warmth here than people looking from the outside seem to assume, often because it is not expressed in the same way as in other cultures. Japan struggles with social issues as other societies do, but this struggle is not often seen.
Hayata-san is an example of the best of Japan; he seems to be quite grounded, patient and selfless, seemingly counter to the traits of people most often portrayed and lauded in the media the world over. Your film has captured the humility and difficulties of someone whose understanding of life, devotion and gratitude should be an example not only to other men, but to all of us. It has also presented many questions; I wanted it to continue. Thank you for making this film.

Ms. Mylan’s work was creative. She documents a big social problem in Japan with an unconventional example of one family’s solution to caregiving. Not only was the example unconventional, the central figure, Mr. Hayata is exceptional in his empathy and capacity to give. We often measure progress with economic measures but this story raises the question whether progress should be “measured” by how a people/society takes care of those who cannot care for themselves. I hope Mr. Hayata’s employer is understanding and values Mr. Hayata’s ability to deeply connect with others – and keeps him employed !

and a dog!!

Appreciated the sincere concern and thoughtful questions the radio interviewers ask, and how they stressed the changing demographics in Japanese society, and how this is something they as a society need to pay attention to. Nippon Cultural Radio is a popular network and I sure they have lots of listeners. 

One thing I noticed is that unlike here in the states, housing, walkways  are not designed for disabled individuals, which in watching Masami Hayata  take his mother in the wheelchair down the steps, I was reminded of how fortunate we are here in the states. And with smaller Japanese living spaces that dear man is amazing in how well he is able to care for his mother. And interact with his son in a mature non coddling but caring manner.

Great little film. Wonderful glimpse at this caring and thoughtful man's challenging life--and into a universal struggle. Thanks.

What a beautifully shot film. I found Mr. Hayata to be a very appealing person. I don't have any children; the overwhelming thought I had "we should all be so lucky as to have someone like that." I'm afraid what will happen to me if I get dementia or Alzheimers when I get older.

Very beautiful, reminding us of our pasts and our futures.

How moving! Change is tough but it happens in small steps. Mr. Hayata seems to be a trailblazer in that regard. Major hat tip to him.

Beautiful & Poignant!.

Oh, man. I've got to get some long term care insurance. I don't want my son to have to give me baths.

Very nice. Touching to watch his loving care of his mother, and of his son.

Very beautiful...it shows the dedication and love and the family-centred focus of Japanese people. This should be shared.

Thank you for this. So very moving.

THE VIDEO is a very moving visit with a Japanese family where the father cares for the elderly mother suffering from very advanced dementia, works as a strategist and the mother is a flight attendant who is away about 10 days per month. Their son, who looks like he might be 5 or 6 and the father have a very sensitive, gentle relationship, as the father teaches him about living as a child, as an adult and as an aged grandparent who is severely limited, as she can no longer move or speak. Her eyes are constantly closed. The family cares for her at home. The son and father work closely together to care for the grandmother and they visit the cemetery where the grandfather is buried. It is a study of intimacy, sensitivity and gentleness, aspects of modern life in Japan that are far less often seen than mobs on trains and anonymous crowds on streets. The photography is beautiful and naturalistic, adding to the serenity and calm of the story. I had no idea that the Japanese had religious shrines in their homes and observed daily rituals. Their lives are far more similar to ours than I would have expected.

This is beautiful and moving. Thank you for this exceptionally thoughtful work.

I know first hand the gender roles in Japan as well as the problems facing the aging population in Japan. Mr. Hayata is an exception in a society where males are never expected to take on responsibilities caring for disabled parents despite changing economic realities. I commend the Ms. Mylan for focusing on this very aspect of cultural expectations and responsibilities in an aging society still steeped in traditional values. Tokyo Story by Ozu is probably his best and my favorite film because of the clarity and poignancy of how he captured the changing Japanese post war society where family unity and traditions were being discarded. There should be more men like Mr. Hayata so Japanese society can deal with the enormous challenge they face with the aging.

Beautiful film. Hayata-san is clearly a good man, good son, good father and most likely a good husband. The pressure he feels most be crushing, but he seems to only be filled with love and light. Thank you for sharing this.

Very touching. Makes me miss traveling in Japan.

Beautiful. Thank you.