World War II, Japan: Saburo, a Tokyo-based student, meets Keiko, an illustrator of propaganda posters, in a bomb shelter during an air raid on the city and becomes infatuated with the young woman. After several more chance encounters, a tender, yet passionate love develops between the two. Their relationship, however, remains unconsummated as Saburo is called up to the front to fight as a soldier of Japan’s imperial army. As time goes on, Japan’s war of aggression becomes a lost cause, which threatens to destroy the prospects of the lovers’ ever meeting again…
Tadashi Imai’s tragic romance was considered Japan’s submission for the Venice Film Festival in 1951, but ultimately lost out to Rashomon. In its home country, however, Till We Meet Again was deemed a major artistic and financial success and even received the Kinema Jumpo prize, then Japan’s most prestigious cinematic award. Today, the film is regarded as a national classic and in the words of the eminent authority on Japanese cinema, Donald Richie, “in the very best sense, a powerful anti-war picture”.
Director: Tadashi Imai. AKA また逢う日まで / Till We Meet Again
Stars: Yoshiko Kuga, Eiji Okada, Osamu Takizawa, Haruko Sugimura, Hayashi Koichi, Hiroshi Akutagawa, Akira Ôizumi, Hiroshi Kondô, Eizo Tanaka, Akitake Kôno, Akiko Kazami, Yoshie Minami.
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Many thanks to Pablo K. for the extended synopsis.
Thanks so much, Jon!!!!