This documentary offers a leisurely look at a small village in Japan, where a handful of people have devoted their lives to the growing of persimmons. Unlike most modern farmers, these growers seem to view their work first as an art, and only secondarily as commerce. Carefully tending their trees, with an expert's eye to changes in weather and soil, and drying and peeling the persimmons by hand, these growers take great pride in the quality of their fruit. The care and delicacy of their methods stand in dramatic contrast to those of larger agricultural business, and serve as an example of traditions which are fading in 21st century Japan. Red Persimmons proved to be the last work from Japanese director Shinsuke Ogawa; he died before the editing could be completed, and Chinese filmmaker Peng Xiaolian finished the project, taking care to preserve the tone and approach of Ogawa's work.
~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide