Ceremony proudly supports the movie
"A Dog Named Palma".

A Dog Named Palma

It's not people who choose dogs,
it's dogs who choose people.

In 1976, a story based on the true tale of "Hachiko" from the Soviet era.
Palma waits at the airport for its owner, and encounters an Akita dog...
The "loyal dogs" of Japan and Russia save the lonely heart of young Kolya.

STORY

The story begins in present-day Odate City, Akita Prefecture, at the opening ceremony of the Akita Dog Visitor Center. Kolya, who works at an airport in Russia, catches a glimpse of a TV segment featuring Akita dogs. As he watches, memories come flooding back—unforgettable moments from his childhood with a beloved dog he once knew.

An incident at an airport in the former Soviet Union.

Palma was supposed to travel to Prague with her owner, but due to missing paperwork, she was denied boarding. With no other choice, her owner secretly let her loose on the runway. Palma remained at the airport, gazing up at the planes day after day, faithfully waiting for her owner to return—for two whole years. In time, her quiet devotion made her a symbol of the airport, touching the hearts of all who saw her.

At the same time,

A 9-year-old boy named Kolya arrives at the airport. Having just lost his mother, he is placed in the care of his father, a pilot. But overwhelmed by grief and burdened by a strained relationship with a father he barely knows, Kolya shuts himself off from the world. It doesn’t take long, however, for a bond to form—a quiet friendship between two lonely souls: Kolya and Palma.

One day,

An Akita dog appears at the airport, accompanied by a Japanese traveler. As the Akita calmly waits to board a flight, Palma runs toward it—as if she’s finally found a kindred spirit. But standing beside the Akita is a kind, loving owner. Watching them, Kolya notices a deep loneliness in Palma’s eyes as she quietly sees them off. In that moment, Kolya sees himself in Palma. Determined to reunite her with her owner, he sets out to help—gathering support from the people around him. As he begins to open his heart, his father, too, starts making an effort to truly connect with his son.

And finally, the day arrives—
the day Palma is to be reunited with her owner.

Palma looks overjoyed—and yet, for some reason, she refuses to leave Kolya’s side...

TEAM

TRAILER

Following the 2019 theatrical release of The Sakura Seen by Sorokin, The Story of Hachi and Palma was produced as the second Japan–Russia co-production. This heartwarming human drama is based on the true story of “Palma the loyal dog,” an incident that took place in the former Soviet Union. It explores themes of love between dogs and humans, as well as the bond—and conflict—between parents and children. The vertical axis of the story follows the deep connection between a dog and a boy, while the horizontal axis delves into the emotional struggles within a father-son relationship. The film also features real-life locations in Odate City, Akita Prefecture, including the Akita Dog Visitor Center (opened on May 8, 2019), the Akita Dog Museum, and activities of the Akita Dog Preservation Society. Filming took place in both Moscow, Russia and Odate, Japan. The film was widely released in Russia and Eastern Europe, where Akita dogs enjoy enduring popularity.