The office worker Atsumi Kozi and his adult son are both heavy drinkers. A grave accident occurs during one of their drinking bouts. This social satire examines why people drink. Whereas a comedic tone prevails in the first half, the movie develops into a scathing indictment of a society that is willing to accept such behavior. Ryu Chishu’s drinker is a typical Shibuyan figure of excess – his twisted body and exaggerated drunkenness epitomize the whole cruelty of life. (Annette Lingg)
Cast: Ryu Chishu, Ishihama Akira, Baisho Chieko, Tsugawa Masahiko
Color: b&w
Running time: 93 min.
In partnership with the Deutsche Kinemathek. With thanks to Shochiku Co. Ltd., Tokyo FilmEx (Hayashi Kanako), the Japan Foundation, the National Film Center, the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
Photo: © Shochiku Co., Ltd.
