Black Rain (1989)

The story of the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing, based on Masuji Ibuse's novel.

Director:

Shôhei Imamura

Writers:

Masuji Ibuse (novel), Shôhei Imamura

Stars:

Yoshiko Tanaka, Kazuo Kitamura, Etsuko Ichihara

26 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Yoshiko Tanaka	...	Yasuko
Kazuo Kitamura	...	Shigematsu Shizuma
Etsuko Ichihara	...	Shigeko Shizuma
Shôichi Ozawa	...	Shokichi
Norihei Miki	...	Kotaro
Hisako Hara	...	Kin
Keisuke Ishida	...	Yuichi
Masato Yamada	...	Tatsu
Tamaki Sawa	...	Woman in Ikemoto-ya
Akiji Kobayashi	...	Katayama
Kazuko Shirakawa	...	Old Woman with white flag
Kenjirô Ishimaru	...	Aono
Mayumi Tateichi	...	Fumiko of Ikemoto-ya
Toshie Kusunoki	...	Kane
Reiko Nanao	...	Rui

Storyline

Mr and Mrs Shizuma, and their niece Yasuko, make their way through the ruins of Hiroshima, just after the atomic bomb has dropped. Five years later, Yasuko is living with her aunt and uncle, and her senile grandmother, in a village containing many of the bomb survivors. Yasuko does not appear to be affected by the bomb, but the Shizuma's are worried about her marriage prospects, as she could succumb to radiation sickness at any time.

---

Plot Keywords:

radiation sickness | hiroshima japan | based on novel | carving | flashback | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Yoshiko Tanaka, the cast were forbidden by the director to leave the village they were filming in to return to Tokyo, even if they had a day off, because Imamura did not wish for them to then return to the location having experienced again the comfort and ease present-day of city life.

---

Quotes

Shigematsu Shizuma: "An unjust peace is better than a just war." It's important to note that this is said cynically.

---

Connections

Referenced in Independence Day (1996)

User Reviews

very moving

This is a pretty faithful adaptation of Masuji Ibuse's novel, "Black Rain." Like the book it is very moving and thought-provoking. The story revolves around a couple's attempts to see their niece successfully married. They are having trouble finding suitors because of a rumor that she suffers from radiation sickness, after walking through Hiroshima on the day of the bombing. Well filmed, well acted, moving, tragic, horrifying and funny.

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

1 February 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Black Rain

Filming Locations:

Yoshinaga, Okayama, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hayashibara Group, Imamura Productions, Tohokushinsha Film Corporation (TFC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1