@celeste_writes
A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.
Set in Tokyo in 1940, the peaceful life of the Nogami Family suddenly changes when the father, Shigeru, is arrested and accused of being a Communist. His wife Kayo works frantically from morning to night to maintain the household and bring up her two daughters with the support of Shigeru's sister Hisako and Shigeru's ex-student Yamazaki, but her husband does not return. WWII breaks out and casts dark shadows on the entire country, but Kayo still tries to keep her cheerful determination, and sustain the family with her love. This is an emotional drama of a mother and an eternal message for peace.
Quick Stats
7.4
TMDB Rating
41
Votes
2h 13m
Runtime
—
Budget
—
Box Office
—
Return
Key Crew
DirectorYoji Yamada
WriterTeruyo Nogami
CinematographyMutsuo Naganuma
ComposerIsao Tomita
EditorIwao Ishii
Production DesignMitsuo Degawa
Produced by
Asahi Broadcasting CorporationEisei GekijoHakuhodo DY Media PartnersSumitomo CorporationTV AsahiYahoo! Japan
Where to Watch
Rent
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Critics & Reviews
3 featured@jhalberg
I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.
@priya_a
A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.
Cast
Mirai Shida
Hatsuko Nogami
Tadanobu Asano
Yamazaki Toru
Chieko Baisho
Hatsuko Nogami
Denden
Fukuda
Sayuri Yoshinaga
Kayo Nogami
Mitsuru Fukikoshi
Shigeru Nogami
Keiko Toda
Teruyo Nogami
Daisuke Gori
Toru
Koen Kondo
Komiyama
Rei Dan
Hisako
Hideji Ōtaki
Kabe
Tokie Hidari
Fumi Fujioka
Takashi Sasano
Detective Kosuge
Mizuho Suzuki
Hajime Nikaido
Makoto Akatsuka
Policeman
