Mother (1952 film)
Encyclopedia
is a 1952 black-and-white Japanese film
directed by Mikio Naruse
, starring Kinuyo Tanaka
in title role. The film is based on the on a prize-winning entry of a school essay-writing competition and screenplay by Yūko Mizuki.
The film is presented as the view of young woman named Toshiko Fukuhara, on her widowed mother of four children during the tough post-war years.
) who struggles to look after ill son, failing from dust of velvet making workshop, ill husband from overwork in the war, young girl, younger boy cousin and teenage daughter Toshiko (Kyōko Kagawa
). Forced to take over the family dry-cleaning business after the death of her husband, Masako also attempts to cope with her daughter's rebellious behavior. Toshiko, meanwhile, harbors suspicions that her mother is falling for her Uncle Kimura (Daisuke Katō
), even as she herself starts to feel the first stirrings of love and passion. Through it all, Masako works on uncomplaining and efficient, while enjoying the pleasures of watching her children grow up.
1953 – Mainichi Film Award
Cinema of Japan
The has a history that spans more than 100 years. Japan has one of the oldest and largest film industries in the world – as of 2009 the fourth largest by number of feature films produced. Movies have been produced in Japan since 1897, when the first foreign cameramen arrived...
directed by Mikio Naruse
Mikio Naruse
was a Japanese filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer who directed some 89 films spanning the period 1930 to 1967.Naruse is known for imbuing his films with a bleak and pessimistic outlook...
, starring Kinuyo Tanaka
Kinuyo Tanaka
was a Japanese actress and director.Tanaka was born in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. She became a leading actress at an early age, appearing in Yasujirō Ozu's I Graduated, But... in 1929...
in title role. The film is based on the on a prize-winning entry of a school essay-writing competition and screenplay by Yūko Mizuki.
The film is presented as the view of young woman named Toshiko Fukuhara, on her widowed mother of four children during the tough post-war years.
Plot
The film depicts the tough period in the life of Masako Fukuhara (Kinuyo TanakaKinuyo Tanaka
was a Japanese actress and director.Tanaka was born in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. She became a leading actress at an early age, appearing in Yasujirō Ozu's I Graduated, But... in 1929...
) who struggles to look after ill son, failing from dust of velvet making workshop, ill husband from overwork in the war, young girl, younger boy cousin and teenage daughter Toshiko (Kyōko Kagawa
Kyôko Kagawa
is a Japanese actress. She has appeared in leading and supporting roles in such films as Akira Kurosawa's The Bad Sleep Well and High and Low, Yasujiro Ozu's Tokyo Story, and Kenji Mizoguchi's Sansho the Bailiff.- Filmography :...
). Forced to take over the family dry-cleaning business after the death of her husband, Masako also attempts to cope with her daughter's rebellious behavior. Toshiko, meanwhile, harbors suspicions that her mother is falling for her Uncle Kimura (Daisuke Katō
Daisuke Katô
was a Japanese actor who appeared in over 150 films, including Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai , Rashomon, Yojimbo , and Ikiru, and Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy and Chushingura.-Filmography:* Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji...
), even as she herself starts to feel the first stirrings of love and passion. Through it all, Masako works on uncomplaining and efficient, while enjoying the pleasures of watching her children grow up.
Cast
- Kinuyo TanakaKinuyo Tanakawas a Japanese actress and director.Tanaka was born in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. She became a leading actress at an early age, appearing in Yasujirō Ozu's I Graduated, But... in 1929...
as Masako Fukuhara - Kyōko KagawaKyôko Kagawais a Japanese actress. She has appeared in leading and supporting roles in such films as Akira Kurosawa's The Bad Sleep Well and High and Low, Yasujiro Ozu's Tokyo Story, and Kenji Mizoguchi's Sansho the Bailiff.- Filmography :...
as Toshiko Fukuhara - Daisuke KatōDaisuke Katôwas a Japanese actor who appeared in over 150 films, including Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai , Rashomon, Yojimbo , and Ikiru, and Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy and Chushingura.-Filmography:* Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji...
as Uncle Kimura
Awards
1953 - Blue Ribbon AwardsBlue Ribbon Awards
The are film-specific prizes awarded solely by movie critics and writers in Tokyo, Japan.The awards were established in 1950 by which is composed of film correspondents from seven Tokyo-based sports newspapers...
- Best Director – Mikio NaruseMikio Narusewas a Japanese filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer who directed some 89 films spanning the period 1930 to 1967.Naruse is known for imbuing his films with a bleak and pessimistic outlook...
- Best Supporting Actor – Daisuke KatōDaisuke Katôwas a Japanese actor who appeared in over 150 films, including Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai , Rashomon, Yojimbo , and Ikiru, and Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy and Chushingura.-Filmography:* Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji...
1953 – Mainichi Film Award
- Best Film Score – Ichirō SaitōIchirō Saitōwas Japanese film composer.- Film score :He made film music for 334 films including:* Lightning * Tea Over Rice or The Flavor of Green Tea over Rice...
- Best Supporting Actor – Daisuke KatōDaisuke Katôwas a Japanese actor who appeared in over 150 films, including Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai , Rashomon, Yojimbo , and Ikiru, and Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai Trilogy and Chushingura.-Filmography:* Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji...
- Best Supporting Actress – Kyōko KagawaKyôko Kagawais a Japanese actress. She has appeared in leading and supporting roles in such films as Akira Kurosawa's The Bad Sleep Well and High and Low, Yasujiro Ozu's Tokyo Story, and Kenji Mizoguchi's Sansho the Bailiff.- Filmography :...
External links
- Uhlich Keith. "Mother review." Slant Magazine, 14 February 2006.
- Mother at Japan Movie Database
- Mother on Mubi (website)