Illusion of Blood
The Wiser Age
Drama about the lives of the five daughters and daughter-in-law of a store owner.
A Japanese Tragedy
At the close of the war in Japan, a widowed mother makes every possible sacrifice to bring up her ungrateful son and daughter who are unimpressed with their poor standard…
Daughters, Wives and a Mother
This film features a large extended family (and associates) even more extensive than the one portrayed by Ozu in “End of Summer”. The central character is Setsuko Hara — a…
When a Woman Ascends the Stairs
Keiko, whom everyone calls Mama, narrates her story: she’s a hostess on the Ginza, 30, a widow. She describes life’s vicious cycle: acting cheerful around drunks, dressing and living well…
Stray Dog
A bad day gets worse for young detective Murakami when a pickpocket steals his gun on a hot, crowded bus. Desperate to right the wrong, he goes undercover, scavenging Tokyo’s…
Black River
The story follows a university student who moves into an apartment building and becomes involved with a waitress. The landlord then attempts to evict the tenants and sell the building…
Samurai Saga
Edmund Rostand’s play Cyrano de Bergerac, transplanted to Japan. A poet-warrior with an oversized nose (matched only by his great heart) loves a lady. But she sees him only as…