Haruka naru yama no yobigoe (1980)

Director:

Yôji Yamada

Writers:

Yoshitaka Asama (writer)
Yôji Yamada (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 October 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Awards:

7 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Gô Awazu
Chieko Baisho	...	Tamiko Kazami
Hajime Hana
Mizuho Suzuki
Ken Takakura	...	Kosaku Tajima
Hidetaka Yoshioka	...	Takeshi Kazami

Also Known As:

A Distant Cry from Spring (USA)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Shôchiku Eiga

Just Wonderful

This is my favorite of the films I've seen by director Yoji. Its a simple story, but its so well put together and the two leads, Ken Takakura and Chicko Baisho, both of whom have acted in Yoji films, give straightforward but heartfelt performances. Ms. Baisho's character is a widow with a young child running a farm in northern Japan. On a very rainy night Mr. Takskura's character appears, asking to spend the night. He stays on as a hired hand. The best thing is that there is not a cliché to be found in this film. As the hired hand came from parts unknown and does not appear to have anywhere to go, you wonder where he came from. You find out eventually, but I want you to see this film for the superb direction, story and acting. I really liked Mr. Yoji's "The Yellow Handkerchief" (which Mr. Takakura also gave a stellar performance), but I loved this film. Highly recommended.