Memories of Matsuko
Encyclopedia
is a 2006 Japanese film written and directed by Tetsuya Nakashima
. It is based on a Japanese novel by Muneki Yamada.
It has not yet received North American distribution, though in its North American premiere at the 2007 New York Asian Film Festival
, the film received the Audience Award with an average rating of 9.2
In the early 1970s, Matsuko was a popular school teacher. However, when one of her students (Ryu) committed a theft, and Matsuko took the blame for him, this had terrible consequences for her life.
The film also reveals some details of Matsuko's earlier life, including a troubled childhood, when she struggled to gain the attention of her father. Matsuko's father's affection was mostly dominated by her chronically ill sister, which created an imbalanced rivalry where Matsuko's needs were less likely to be met.
Matsuko's relationships with men were generally troubled as well. She moved from relationship to relationship with men who gave her some inkling of affection, though it was often accompanied by abuse. She often found herself abandoned by the men she loved, who couldn't cope with her neediness. She continued to pursue her dreams of perfect love, even as her life spiraled down, and she found herself working as a prostitute, and even imprisoned.
When Matsuko met later in life with Ryu, whom she saved from the charges relating to his theft, she found that he held affection and admiration for her. She saw in him another chance for true love. But Ryu, by this time, was deeply entrenched in a criminal life. He decided that it would be best for him to disappear from her life, to protect her from the risks of life with a gangster. This final abandonment was disastrous for Matsuko, who never knew to what extent she affected the lives of the men who loved her.
2006 Japanese Professional Award Winner – Best Actress http://12thjff.jpf-sydney.org/f_memoriesofmatsuko.html
Tetsuya Nakashima
Tetsuya Nakashima is a Japanese film director. He was born in Fukuoka, attending high school in Chikushino. Nakashima was given the Best Director award at the 2005 Yokohama Film Festival for his film Kamikaze Girls....
. It is based on a Japanese novel by Muneki Yamada.
It has not yet received North American distribution, though in its North American premiere at the 2007 New York Asian Film Festival
New York Asian Film Festival
The New York Asian Film Festival was first held in 2002, growing out of the previous year's New York Korean Film Festival...
, the film received the Audience Award with an average rating of 9.2
Synopsis
The story begins with Sho cleaning out the remaining belongings of his recently deceased aunt Matsuko. Sho gradually learns many details of his aunt's life, and it is through his investigations that the audience learns the story of Matsuko's past.In the early 1970s, Matsuko was a popular school teacher. However, when one of her students (Ryu) committed a theft, and Matsuko took the blame for him, this had terrible consequences for her life.
The film also reveals some details of Matsuko's earlier life, including a troubled childhood, when she struggled to gain the attention of her father. Matsuko's father's affection was mostly dominated by her chronically ill sister, which created an imbalanced rivalry where Matsuko's needs were less likely to be met.
Matsuko's relationships with men were generally troubled as well. She moved from relationship to relationship with men who gave her some inkling of affection, though it was often accompanied by abuse. She often found herself abandoned by the men she loved, who couldn't cope with her neediness. She continued to pursue her dreams of perfect love, even as her life spiraled down, and she found herself working as a prostitute, and even imprisoned.
When Matsuko met later in life with Ryu, whom she saved from the charges relating to his theft, she found that he held affection and admiration for her. She saw in him another chance for true love. But Ryu, by this time, was deeply entrenched in a criminal life. He decided that it would be best for him to disappear from her life, to protect her from the risks of life with a gangster. This final abandonment was disastrous for Matsuko, who never knew to what extent she affected the lives of the men who loved her.
Cast and roles
- Nakatani Miki – Matsuko Kawajiri (Child actor: Kana Okunoya)
- EitaEitais a Japanese actor from Tokyo, Japan. His birth name is . He has appeared in many Japanese television dramas and movies; most notable is the TV series Water Boys...
– Sho Kawajiri - Teruyuki Kagawa – Norio Kawajiri
- Mikako IchikawaMikako IchikawaMikako Ichikawa is a Japanese actress and model from Tokyo, Japan. She was working as a model for the Japanese fashion magazine Olive under an exclusive contract...
– Kumi Kawajiri - Yusuke IseyaYusuke Iseyais a Japanese actor.He was born in Tokyo, Japan. With his modeling career , Yūsuke is known for Loreal , Men's Nonno magazine, Prada , and Asahi Aqua Blue....
– Youichi Ryu - Akira Emoto – Kawajiri Kozo
- Asuka Kurosawa – Megumi Sawamura
- Shosuke TaniharaShosuke Taniharais a Japanese actor probably best known outside of Japan for his portrayal of Riki Fudoh in Fudoh: The New Generation.Tanihara hosts Tokyo Twenty-Four Living Supported by FLET’S Hikari, a podcast produced by TOKYO FM...
– Shunji Saeki - Kudo Kankuro – Yamekawa Tetsuya
- Bonnie PinkBonnie Pink, known by her stage name , is a Japanese singer-songwriter and musician. She lived in New York during 1998 and speaks English . She writes and composes all her songs, and plays guitar and piano...
– Ayano - Gekidan Hitori – Takeo Okano
- Ryu Youichi
- Sora AoiSora Aoiis a Japanese AV idol, nude model, and media personality. In addition to being a multiple award winning actress in the AV field, she has also attained mainstream media recognition.- Early life :...
Awards
2007 Japanese Academy Award Winner – Best Actress, Best Music, Best Editing2006 Japanese Professional Award Winner – Best Actress http://12thjff.jpf-sydney.org/f_memoriesofmatsuko.html
External links
- Official site in Japanese
- Yahoo movie information