Kozaburo Yoshimura—Bamboo dolls from Echizen This melodrama tells about earthly things that not too people like to bring to light. But instead of vulgarity or detailed frankness, we get a sublime story full of artistic grace and respect for the events taking place. For all the lowlands of several moments, the heroes do not lose their contemplation. Here, Kiske Uji lies dreamily in the grove, watching the wind swing the stems of bamboo. And this is a stormy river that has taken something immeasurably important. Its rapid flow so expressively shows the cruel inevitability of life.
But there will be few poetic moments in the tape. A rigid structure will not allow anything to be missed.
These straight frames may seem too callous, but the attentiveness with which the director approaches it gives a real level. Here our main character comes to the brothel, here he talks with his father’s former passion, here she is already the hostess in the house, here are her first confessions to a friend about family life, here is a dramatic moment, a decision, then a real horror. As if everything is divided into chapters, but so carefully, skillfully and clearly shown. A still camera, quite static actors, but the most important thing gets into the frame. It is enough to show how carefully and respectfully the heroine behaves with Kiske. It's so different from the untidy smiles she makes with another man.
I will not disclose all the plot details, but almost every proposed situation allows you to discuss, look from different sides at family relations, and in general at how people perceive themselves. The hero, like many other men, looked for a reflection of his mother in his beloved, without even noticing her. Well, our heroine could not fully open up to her man, trust him. Nor was she ready to admit that she deserved to be a wife, a mother, and a woman. This is a topic for a much longer conversation. It is only important that Kozaburo Yoshimura reveals the topic as much as possible, leaving opportunities for audience discussions.
What else can you say - high skill. And by the way, the outstanding acting work of Ayako Wakao.
9 out of 10