An Ode to the Earthworm(1982)

An Ode to the Earthworm is an independent film written and directed by Sano, who also stars as its protagonist—a solitary young man carrying a gun. Making his directorial debut after appearing in films by Matsui Yoshihiko and Ishii Sogo, Sano brings a fully formed artistic vision to the screen. The film premiered at the 1983 Pia Film Festival before traveling to Edinburgh, Antwerp, and other international festivals. Marked by a hard, melancholic tone, An Ode to the Earthworm established the aesthetic that would define Sano's later work: austere, emotionally sparse cinema that explores isolation and inner darkness.