96-year-old Kaneto Shindô brings us his 44th film "Hanawa Chiredomo"

by Chris MaGee

Any fan of Japanese film will know the name Kaneto Shindô, the man who brought us such classics as "Onibaba" and "The Naked Island". The now 96-year-old director's career has spanned almost the entire history of Japanese cinema. Having written over 150 screenplays and directing over forty films most directors his age would rest on their laurels, satisfied of their contribution to the art of cinema. Not so Shindô. Come September 27th his 44th film "Hanawa Chiredomo" will be released in Japanese theatres.

Filmed last year in and around Shindô's home prefecture of Hiroshima (with Shindô directing most of the film from a wheelchair) is a story told in two parts. The first focuses on a fifth grade teacher, played by Etsushi Toyokawa, who influences the lives of his students during the Taisho Era (1911-1925). The second jumps ahead 30 years to the teacher's retirement celebration where his former students come to honour him, but after a debilitating stroke his former student, played by Akira Emoto, must care for his former sensei.

Shindô has dedicated "Hanawa Chiredomo", which has already premiered at the 30th Moscow International Film Festival this past June, to the people of Hiroshima.

I couldn't track down a trailer to embed on the blog, but if you head over to the film's Asian Medis Wiki page here you can check one out. I love the clips of the students watching as a silent jidai-geki movie is being shot behind the school.

Thanks to Eiga.com and Yomiuri.co.jp for the details on this.