After the Rain (film) (original) (raw)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1999 Japanese-French film

After the Rain
Japanese film poster
Directed by Takashi Koizumi
Screenplay by Akira Kurosawa[1]
Story by Shugoro Yamamoto
Produced by Masato Hara[1]
Starring Akira Terao Yoshiko Miyazaki Shiro Mifune Mieko Harada Tatsuya Nakadai
Cinematography Shoji Ueda[1]
Edited by Hideto Aga[1]
Music by Masaru Sato[1]
Productioncompanies Asmik Ace Entertainment Kurosawa Production 7 Films Cinema[1]
Distributed by Toho[1]
Release dates September 5, 1999 (1999-09-05) (Venice Film Festival) January 22, 2000 (2000-01-22) (Japan) May 3, 2000 (2000-05-03) (France)
Running time 91 minutes[1]
Countries Japan France[1]

After the Rain (雨あがる, Ame agaru) is a 1999 Japanese and French film. The story is based on the last script written by Akira Kurosawa and is directed by his former assistant director of 28 years, Takashi Koizumi. It was awarded a Japanese Academy Award in 1999. It was chosen as Best Film at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony.[2] It was Japan's official submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 73rd Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.

A group of travelers are stranded in a small country inn when the local river floods. As the bad weather continues, tensions rise amongst the travelers trapped at the inn. A traveling rōnin (masterless samurai), Ihei Misawa, takes it upon himself to cheer everyone up by arranging a splendid feast. Unfortunately he has no money and in order to pay for the feast he visits the local dojos and challenges the masters there for payment, termed in the film as prize fighting. Later, after breaking up a duel between two young retainers of the local clan, the daimyō Shigeaki is impressed by Misawa's skill and temperament, Lord Shigeaki offers Misawa employment as a sword master. Misawa has a tense interaction with the lord and his retainers, revealing his prowess at their expense.

The film also shows the tender relationship he has with his wife, Tayo, and provides insights into the way of life of a rōnin's wife.

After the Rain premiered at the Venice Film Festival on October 25, 1999.[1] It was released in Japan on January 22, 2000 where it was distributed by Toho and placed fourth at the box office for the week.[1][3] It was released in France on May 3, 2000 where it was distributed by Opening Distribution.[4]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Galbraith IV 2008, p. 413.
  2. ^ "Awards for Ame agaru (1999)" (in Japanese). Internet Movie Database. Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  3. ^ "International box office: Japan". Screen International. 4 February 2000. p. 39.
  4. ^ "Ame agaru (1999)" (in French). Bifi.fr. Archived from the original on December 10, 2006. Retrieved October 23, 2015.