Kabei - aka Our Mother
Director: Yōji Yamada
Cast: Tadanobu Asano, Sayuri Yoshinaga, Mirai Shida, Takashi Sasano
A father’s sudden absence occupies the center of Yoji Yamada’s intricate family drama, adapted from Teruyo Nogami’s bestselling memoir.
In prewar Tokyo, after Shigeru “Tobei” Nogami is imprisoned for espousing progressive political views, his wife, known by his daughters as “Kabei,” is left alone to support their family.
Helped by the sweet, bumbling student Yamazaki and some of her more anti-authoritarian neighbors, Kabei ekes out a living for her family and struggles through the consequences of Tobei’s anti-Imperialist “thought crime.”
Director Yamada, a beloved veteran of Japanese cinema, builds upon the quiet artistry of his recent trilogy of samurai films (The Twilight Samurai, The Hidden Blade, and Love and Honor) and the touching comedy of his epic 48-part Tora San series.
Unashamedly emotional without lapsing into sentimentality, Kabei—Our Mother is lightened by a subtle undercurrent of humor and exceptional performances.
The film’s meditative approach and impeccable formal construction make it a rewarding exploration of a family’s resilience in the face of distress.
2008 Color Widescreen 133 Min.
Japanese with English subtitles.
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