Postcard (2010)

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Kaneto Shindô

Writer:

Kaneto Shindô (screenplay)

Stars:

Etsushi Toyokawa, Shinobu Ôtake, Naomasa Musaka

7 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 Osugi	...	Kichigoro Izumiya (as Ren Ôsugi)
Maiko Kawakami	...	Mie Matsuyama
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

Storyline

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 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 ever.

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Plot Keywords:

rural | ww 2 | sex scenes | passionate kiss | suicide attempt | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

6 August 2011 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Pocztówka

Filming Locations:

Tokyo, Japan

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$37,696

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kindai Eiga Kyokai

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS-Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Japan's official submission to the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 84th Academy Awards 2012.

User Reviews

A kinder, gentler Shindo.

In a career that spanned about 70 years, Kaneto Shindo directed 45 films and wrote 171. That is, 171 of his scripts were turned into films. 171.

This was the last movie he made, a year before he died at age 100. He wrote it, of course. He was 99 years old when he directed this film. He was 99 years old when he directed this film. He was 99 years old when he directed this film. He was 99 years old when he directed this film. He was 99 years old when he directed this film. He was 99 years old when he directed this film.

It tells the story of two bunkmates during WWII. One is being shipped off to the front in Manila and has just received a postcard from his wife. He tells his mate, Matsuyama, that he will not survive, and to return the postcard to his wife, letting her know he received it. Any response he would make would be heavily censored. Out of sheer luck, Matsuyama never seen battle, survives the war, and heads off to return the postcard to his mate's widow. Despite a multitude of tragedies and some serious displays of emotion, this is a lighter, kinder Shindo, one I'm not used to. I'm reminded of Kurosawa's final films, 'Madadayo' and 'Rhapsody in August.' The films have a straightforwardness in style and narrative and pace in common. That's not to say that this is a boring, frivolous film. Not at all -- it is entirely engaging and emotionally involving. 8/10.