Directed by Juzo Itami • 1995 • Japan
Starring Atsuro Watanabe, Hinako Saeki, Masayuki Imai
Based on a novel by Nobel prizewinner Kenzaburo Oe (the brother-in-law of director Juzo Itami) this radically empathetic melodrama—inspired by the story of the writer’s own children—evokes the world of a mentally handicapped young man (Atsuro Watabe) and his devoted sister (Hinako Saeki), who cares for him after their mother and famous novelist father depart for Australia. By turns sweetly sensitive and startlingly intense, A QUIET LIFE is a fascinating dialogue between two major Japanese artists whose careers and personal lives were closely intertwined.
Up Next in Directed by Juzo Itami
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Supermarket Woman
Directed by Juzo Itami • 1996 • Japan
Starring Masahiko Tsugawa, Nobuko Miyamoto, Ryunosuke KanedaIn this vibrant comedy, failing supermarket manager Goro (Masahiko Tsugawa) hires Hanako (Nobuko Miyamoto), an old classmate, to help him compete with the new rival grocery store in town. Soon, Han...
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Woman in Witness Protection
Directed by Juzo Itami • 1997 • Japan
Starring Nobuko Miyamoto, Masahiko Nishimura, Yuji MurataJuzo Itami’s final film features a dazzling performance from his wife and frequent leading lady Nobuko Miyamoto as Biwako, a middle-aged movie-star diva who is the sole witness to a grisly murder. Whe...
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Rubber Band Pistol
Directed by Juzo Itami • 1962 • Japan
Jûzô Itami’s debut short film RUBBER BAND PISTOL concerns the various activities of a group of friends.
