FLOATING CLOUDS
1955, Japan, 127min, B&W, 35mm, PG
Directed by Naruse Mikio

FILM SCREENINGS - 23rd August

A WANDERER'S NOTEBOOK
1962, Japan, 123 min, B&W, 35mm, PG
Directed by Naruse Mikio

Based on the life of writer Hayashi Fumiko, A WANDERER’S NOTEBOOK chronicles Fumiko’s struggle against poverty, crummy jobs, feckless lovers and male prejudice to become an acclaimed literary figure. Takamine Hideko brings Naruse’s vision to life.

“In what is probably her greatest performance, Hideko Takamine even succeeds in making herself look homely, curling her mouth into a sarcastic grimace as she threads her way through Tokyo’s literary bohemia, sloughing off insults and condescension or retaliating when it suits her, obstinately falling in love with the wrong men.” - Phillip Lopate, A Taste of Naruse

SCREENING · 23 Aug Sat 4.30pm

Distribution: Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation

MOTHER
1952, Japan, 98min, B&W, 35mm, PG
Directed by Naruse Mikio

Naruse presents another study of human tenacity in the face of spiritual and physical ruin, through the tale of the Fukuhara family, struggling to rebuild their lives in postwar Japan. Wanting to reopen their pre-war dry cleaning business, father Ryosaku works as a factory guard, son Susumu works at an upholstery shop, while mother Masako sells candies on the street with daughter Toshiko’s help. Life is difficult even after they reopen their cleaning business, as the Fukuhara family discovers greater disillusionment and heartache. Of special note here are the bittersweet portrayals of Naruse’s resilient, graceful female characters.

SCREENING · 23 Aug Sat 2.15pm

Distribution: Shin Toho, Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation

GINZA COSMETICS
1951, Japan, 87 min, B&W, 16mm, PG
Directed by Naruse Mikio

Another archetypal Naruse heroine, Yukiko has been living in the Ginza for over 10 years, working as a bar hostess to raise her son Haruo. Forced to leave Haruo to fend for himself for much of the day, Yukiko works late into the night, entertaining the deceptive promises of numerous gentlemen. When she is attracted to the earnest Kyosuke, the prospect of a respectable life suddenly seems possible, but can she leave her son behind? This film is commonly cited as a return to form for Naruse after his creative slump.

SCREENING · 23 Aug Sat 11.00am

Distribution: Print courtesy of The Japan Foundation

A tale of spiritual disillusionment and unrequited longing, Floating Clouds describes the aimless relationship between Yukiko, newly-returned from Indochina after WWII, and Kengo, a surveyor with whom she has had an affair while stationed there. Although Kengo is reluctant to leave his wife and rekindle their love affair, Yukiko persists despite the consequences for her. In this film, Naruse uses narrative ellipses and episodic flashbacks to create a sense of discontinuity in the narrative that underscores Yukiko's inconstant and moribund relationship with the fickle Kengo.

SCREENING · 23 Aug Sat 7.30pm

Distribution: Print Courtesy of The Japan Foundation