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Postcard

Original title: Ichimai no hagaki
  • 20102010
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
256
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
67,432
23,085
Postcard (2010)
DramaRomanceWar
Toward the end of World War II, middle-aged soldier Keita is entrusted with a postcard from a comrade who is sure he will die in battle. After the war ends, Keita visits his comrade's wife Y... Read allToward the end of World War II, middle-aged soldier Keita is entrusted with a postcard from a comrade who is sure he will die in battle. After the war ends, Keita visits his comrade's wife Yuko and bears witness to the tragic life she has led. This year's Oscar entry from Japan f... Read allToward the end of World War II, middle-aged soldier Keita is entrusted with a postcard from a comrade who is sure he will die in battle. After the war ends, Keita visits his comrade's wife Yuko and bears witness to the tragic life she has led. This year's Oscar entry from Japan finds SHINDO in top form and his 49th and reportedly last film as fresh and poignant as eve... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
256
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
67,432
23,085
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Kaneto Shindô
    • Writer
      • Kaneto Shindô(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Etsushi Toyokawa
      • Shinobu Ôtake
      • Naomasa Musaka
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Kaneto Shindô
    • Writer
      • Kaneto Shindô(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Etsushi Toyokawa
      • Shinobu Ôtake
      • Naomasa Musaka
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 5 nominations

    Photos

    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Etsushi Toyokawa
    Etsushi Toyokawa
    • Keita Matsuyama
    Shinobu Ôtake
    • Tomoko Morikawa
    Naomasa Musaka
    • Sadazo Morikawa
    Akira Emoto
    • Yukichi Morikawa, the Father-in-Law
    Mitsuko Baishô
    • Chiyo Morikawa, the Mother-in-Law
    Yasuhito Ohchi
    • Sanpei Morikawa
    Ren Ôsugi
    Ren Ôsugi
    • Kichigoro Izumiya
    Maiko Kawakami
    • Mie Matsuyama
    Masahiko Tsugawa
    Masahiko Tsugawa
    • Riwemon, Matsuyama's Uncle
    Moeko Ezawa
    • Matsuyama's Aunt
    Hôka Kinoshita
    • Soldier A
    Yasuhiro Ohara
    • Soldier B
    Tokuko Watanabe
    Asuka Hashimoto
    Dai Watanabe
    • Officer
    Akaji Maro
    Akaji Maro
    • Monk
    Tamayo
    • Stripper
    • Director
      • Kaneto Shindô
    • Writer
      • Kaneto Shindô(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Japan's official submission to the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 84th Academy Awards 2012.
    • Soundtracks
      Kage o shitaite (aka: Longing for his shadow)
      Composed by Masao Koga

      Sang by Naomasa Musaka and Shinobu Ôtake

    User reviews3

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Virulently anti-war polemic...formulaic in places, quirky, but heartfelt
    This was the last film of Kaneto Shindo, who died just a few days ago, age 100, and was known for such landmark films as Onibaba and Black Cat.

    Shindo knew war...he was one of only six survivors of his 100-man unit in the Japanese navy during WWII. And as recounted in a recent obituary in the NY Times, he felt the weight of his 94 compatriots keenly, and sends them a final prayer in this last film of his.

    The first third of the film is relentlessly grim. The Morikawa family is hit harder than most by the war: eldest son Sadazou is conscripted, and en route to the Philippines and certain death, receives a postcard from his wife Tomoko, but is unable to send her a meaningful response, due to strict censorship. He dies, his younger brother Sanpei is also conscripted and also dies, and the elderly father and mother die in short order, leaving Tomoko quite alone in a farmhouse by herself.

    Before dying, however, Sadazou has asked a bunkmate to bring the postcard back to his wife if he does not return. This fellow, Matsuyama, has been betrayed by his wife and father, and when he finally brings the postcard to call on Tomoko, can only marvel at the latter's constancy in contrast.

    A mooted move to Brazil and other unexpected plot twists keep the viewer guessing. Some humor is injected by a would-be paramour of Tomoko's. All in all, a film that brings home the pointless waste and enormous suffering inflicted by war.

    The final takeaway: In the end, we bury our dead, we try to pay our respects, but we have to find our own way forward as best we can.
    helpful•4
    0
    • KFL
    • Jun 2, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 6, 2011 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Pocztówka
    • Filming locations
      • Tokyo, Japan
    • Production company
      • Kindai Eiga Kyokai
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $37,696
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS-Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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