Kabei: Our Mother

The latest film from Yoji Yamada depicts the strong bond between a mother and her family during WWII. Set in Tokyo in 1940, the peaceful life of the Nogami Family suddenly changes when the father, Shigeru, is arrested and accused of being a Communist. His wife Kayo works frantically from morning to night to maintain the household and bring up her two daughters with the support of Shigeru's sister Hisako and Shigeru's ex-student Yamazaki, but her husband does not return. WWII breaks out and casts dark shadows on the entire country, but Kayo still tries to keep her cheerful determination, and sustains the family with her love. This is an emotional drama of a mother and an eternal message for peace.

“Old workhorse Yamada delivers the solar plexus emotional hit of a tragic telegram with precision that shows a lifetime's practice, turning Hallmarkisms sublime.” (Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice)

“Yamada's masterpiece of balanced sensibilities is grounded in the sensitive performances of its cast.” (Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine)

An Official Selection at the Berlin International Film Festival 2008.