Shigeru, a young deaf garbage collector, finds a broken surfboard in a trash can. Soon, he becomes obsessed with surfing. Despite multiple setbacks, Shigeru may finally have a chance to become one with the sea and the surfing community with the support of his longtime girlfriend, Takako.

An icon of Japanese pop culture, Takeshi Kitano is a multimedia artist who both writes poetry and paints when he is not making films or playing in them (Hana-bi, Zatoichi). A Scene at the Sea is one of his most beautiful works: a subtle romantic drama in the spirit of master Yasujiro Ozu.