The first thing that strikes you about this film is the exquisite cinematography. The moody, atmospheric quality of the film adds to the story line of a member of the lowest class in Japan, a Burakunin. The Burakunin are similar to India's Untouchables. Mr. Segawa, a teacher at the local school, is hiding his past from the small village he lives in. He is the son of a Burakunin. It is similar to being the son of a slave in US History, although some slaves escaped to the North to be free. What makes this film so memorable are the well-defined characters included in the film. They all have many qualities, both good and bad; no one is perfect (except maybe Shiho, the female protagonist). This is a masterpiece of filmmaking; not just Japanese filmmaking. It does get a bit preachy at times with the dialogue, and does much better when it keeps moving with new visual events. Almost a perfect film.
