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A Japanese merchant who leaves his wife behind in order to travel to Manchuria, where he witnesses an act of barbarism. His subsequent actions cause misunderstanding, jealousy and legal prob... Read allA Japanese merchant who leaves his wife behind in order to travel to Manchuria, where he witnesses an act of barbarism. His subsequent actions cause misunderstanding, jealousy and legal problems for his wife.A Japanese merchant who leaves his wife behind in order to travel to Manchuria, where he witnesses an act of barbarism. His subsequent actions cause misunderstanding, jealousy and legal problems for his wife.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Awards
- 7 wins & 9 nominations total
Issei Takahashi
- Yusaku Fukuhara
- (as Issey Takahashi)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
10highjin
I don't know how good country you live in, But want you to remember that someone live in a crazy world that handful hypocrites get all of justices. Do you know how suffocated reality it is that most of the movies released in your country are only praise and glorify the government? From that point of view, the fact that such a movie comes out is a proof that the society and the artist healthy.
The last scream of Aoi Yu is the same as someone's scream today who is choked by fascism more than a pandemic. If you are an artist, I think you can feel the same way. Of course, if you're a true artist, not a flattering Lier.
Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa's films always have a keen message about the world, but this film seems to express a more plain and honest feeling. Although it is a political film, it does not miss a sense of cinematic tension. And Aoi Yu's acting was really as beautiful as her appearance.
I feel infinite gratitude for exist of such a film, In a fascist world everyone call themselves justice. Because of these art, I can breathe.
A good portrait of trust and suspicion in the ultra right nationalist period. The film in the film reflects the story of characters, which structure was developed in Ryusuke Hamaguchi's latest film Drive My Car. However, some of the scene is lacking in logic and therefore makes me feel unreal.
Considering it's seemingly cheap, it's still a very enjoyable piece. Direction, screenplay, footage and actings are greatly done and the plot is unusual and surprising, although threre are some gaps that could be better elucidated it's solid enough.
It's an average, feel-good film at best with a very good universal message. How the Jury of Venice 2020 film festival headed by Cate Blanchett bestowed this film with the Best Director Award beats logic. Was it because the lead character was a film director? That must have pleased jury member Joanna Hogg. This incredible jury thought that Konchalovsky did not deserve the Best Director award for "Dear Comrades!" a vastly superior work but instead bestowed it the Jury's Special Prize as a consolation. This same jury gave another below par film from Mexico's Michel Franco called "The New Order" the Grand Jury Prize. The Bosnian film "Quo vadi, Aida?" was overlooked but thankfully it is in the Oscar race. Look closely at the awards and the jury seemed to give some award or other to all the nominees, often having questionable merit. Luckily, for us the Gold Lion went to a deserving work "Nomadland."
The script will make you recall "The Shawshank Redemption" though the tales are in different settings.
"Wife of a spy" is a good vehicle for the Kill Bill 1 and 2 actor Issey Takahashi. Little else.
The script will make you recall "The Shawshank Redemption" though the tales are in different settings.
"Wife of a spy" is a good vehicle for the Kill Bill 1 and 2 actor Issey Takahashi. Little else.
And end with an even longer cry. The story though might be interresting, but not exactly as exciting as could be.its made in a japanese customly humble and cultural driven manner, and very theatrical in its execution. Its a fingerpinchsize of a daring topic to raise, namely the years before ww2 japan, where manchuria was the battle field, the nipponese fascism near its summit, and where spies operated everywhere and upon everyone. Being a wife to a spy is a dire choice of existece, and when you dont know what to believe, even from your right hand side, then tragedy is pretty near.
Its a pretty classical japanese production on a tv broadcaster budget, its pretty rigid on outdoor scenes, and plentyfilled with tears and agony. Some historical images there are but not of the cruel stuff. There are no sex and nudity, barely a kiss to see, but drama youll get if you want that. The grumpy old man had expected more due to norwegian broadcaster nrk's ''the film police'' review.
Its a pretty classical japanese production on a tv broadcaster budget, its pretty rigid on outdoor scenes, and plentyfilled with tears and agony. Some historical images there are but not of the cruel stuff. There are no sex and nudity, barely a kiss to see, but drama youll get if you want that. The grumpy old man had expected more due to norwegian broadcaster nrk's ''the film police'' review.
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Fumio and Yusaku are about to depart to Manchuria, Fumio mentions "Here we go to settler's paradise". This refers to the propaganda regarding the massive migration program undertook by the Japanese government called "Millions to Manchuria" that sent hundreds of thousands of peasants to settle and colonize the rural areas of northern Manchuria (Manchukuo at the time).
- GoofsAfter their departing British friend gives them silk in an early scene, Yusaku suggests making it into western-style clothes. Satoko warns that this will go against the new National Uniform Edict. A few scenes later, Yusaku leaves for a business trip to Manchuria. While he is away, Satoko hears on the radio that the Tripartite Pact has been signed with Germany and Italy. The radio makes clear that the date is September 27, 1940. However, the National Uniform Edict was not issued until over a month later, on November 2, 1940, meaning it would not have been in effect during the earlier scene with the silk.
- ConnectionsFeatures Priest of Darkness (1936)
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $69,464
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $7,162
- Sep 19, 2021
- Gross worldwide
- $2,292,553
- Runtime
- 1h 55m(115 min)
- Color
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